Power storage device

Abstract

To provide a power storage device capable of suppressing condensation water generated on the upper surface of a cooler from dripping from the cooler.SOLUTION: A power storage device 100 includes a power storage module 10 and a cooler 30 disposed above the power storage module 10. The cooler 30 includes a cooler main body 31 (first portion) extending along an upper surface 10b (first upper surface) of the power storage module 10, and a damming portion 32 (second portion) provided to protrude upward from the cooler main body 31. The damming portion 32 is provided to block condensation water generated on an upper surface 31a (second upper surface) of the cooler main body 31 from flowing toward an outer circumferential edge 31b of the cooler main body 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electricity storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] JP 2023-529400 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a battery pack including a plurality of cells, a tray, a temperature equalizer plate, and cooling ducts. The cells are housed in a storage space of the tray. The temperature equalizer plate covers an upper opening of the storage space of the tray. The cooling ducts are arranged on the outer surface of the temperature equalizer plate (the surface opposite the storage space). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2023-529400 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the battery pack described in Patent Document 1, condensation water may form on the upper surface of the temperature equalizer (cooler). In this case, it is conceivable that the condensation water flows down the upper surface and drips from the outer periphery of the temperature equalizer.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an energy storage device that can prevent condensation water formed on the upper surface of a cooler from dripping from the cooler. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an energy storage device including an energy storage module and a cooler disposed above the energy storage module. The cooler includes a first portion extending along a first upper surface of the energy storage module and a second portion provided to protrude upward from the first portion. The second portion is provided to block condensation water generated on the second upper surface of the first portion from flowing toward the outer periphery of the first portion.

[0007] As described above, the power storage device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the second portion that blocks condensation water generated on the second upper surface of the first portion from flowing toward the outer periphery of the cooler. This prevents the condensation water from flowing to the outer periphery of the first portion. As a result, the condensation water can be prevented from dripping from the cooler.

[0008] The second portion may be provided along the outer periphery of the first portion. With this configuration, the area of ​​the portion of the second upper surface of the first portion between the second portion and the outer periphery can be minimized. As a result, the amount of condensation water that occurs between the second portion and the outer periphery can be minimized.

[0009] The second portion may be formed continuously and circumferentially along the outer periphery. With this configuration, no passage is formed in the second portion that connects the inside and outside of the second portion, which more reliably prevents condensation water generated inside the second portion from flowing to the outer periphery.

[0010] The energy storage device may include a case that houses the energy storage module and the cooler. The case may include an upper cover that covers the cooler from above. The second part may be formed of an elastic member. With this configuration, the elastic force of the second part can absorb the load transmitted from the upper cover to the second part. As a result, damage to the cooler and the energy storage module due to the load from the upper cover can be suppressed.

[0011] The energy storage device may include a heat insulating material disposed on the second upper surface of the first portion. With this configuration, the area of ​​the exposed portion of the second upper surface can be reduced compared to when the heat insulating material is not disposed on the second upper surface. As a result, the amount of condensation water generated on the second upper surface can be reduced compared to when the heat insulating material is not disposed on the second upper surface. As a result, dripping of condensation water from the cooler can be further suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, condensation water formed on the upper surface of the cooler can be prevented from dripping from the cooler. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle equipped with a power storage device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of an electricity storage device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a storage cell. [Figure 4] 2 is a plan view of the electricity storage module and the cooler according to the first embodiment, viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an electricity storage device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the electricity storage module and the cooler according to a first modified example of the first embodiment, as viewed from above. [Figure 8] 10 is a plan view of an electricity storage module and a cooler according to a second modification of the first embodiment, as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an electricity storage device according to a third modified example of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. Note that the embodiments and modifications described below may be selectively combined as appropriate.

[0016] [First embodiment] A power storage device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. Fig. 1 is a side view that schematically shows a vehicle 200 that includes the power storage device 100 according to the first embodiment. In this specification, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are directions that are perpendicular to one another. For example, the X direction and Y direction are the front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 200 when the power storage device 100 is mounted on the vehicle 200, respectively. The Z direction is the up-down (vertical) direction.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, power storage device 100 is a device for storing electric power for driving vehicle 200, for example. Power storage device 100 is arranged in an underbody 210 (floor panel) of vehicle 200. Examples of vehicle 200 include a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, and an electric vehicle. Note that the use of power storage device 100 is not limited to vehicles. Power storage device 100 may also be provided in electrical equipment other than a vehicle (for example, a stationary power storage device).

[0018] 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage device 100 according to the first embodiment. The energy storage device 100 includes an energy storage module 10, a case 20, and a cooler 30.

[0019] The energy storage module 10 includes two cell units 10a. Each cell unit 10a includes a plurality of energy storage cells 11 (FIG. 3). The two cell units 10a are arranged side by side in the X direction. A space S is formed between the cell units 10a. The number of cell units 10a may be one, or three or more.

[0020] The case 20 houses the energy storage module 10. The case 20 includes an upper case 21 and a lower case 22. The energy storage module 10 is housed in a space formed by assembling the upper case 21 to the lower case 22. The cooler 30 is also housed in the case 20. The upper case 21 is an example of an "upper cover" in the present disclosure.

[0021] The upper case 21 has a ceiling portion 21a and a peripheral wall portion 21b. The ceiling portion 21a is provided at the Z1-side end of the upper case 21. The ceiling portion 21a extends horizontally. The peripheral wall portion 21b is provided to extend from the outer periphery of the ceiling portion 21a toward the Z2 side. The ceiling portion 21a is provided to cover the cooler 30 from the Z1 side, and the peripheral wall portion 21b is provided to surround the cooler 30 from the sides. The peripheral wall portion 21b is composed of side walls (unnumbered) provided on the X1 side, X2 side, Y1 side, and Y2 side of the cooler 30.

[0022] The cooler 30 is disposed above (on the Z1 side of) the power storage module 10. The cooler 30 is disposed across the two cell units 10a. The cooler 30 is provided so as to cover the two cell units 10a and the space S from the Z1 side.

[0023] The cooler 30 includes a cooler body 31 and a damming portion 32. The cooler body 31 extends along the upper surface 10b of each cell unit 10a. The cooler body 31 is formed in a flat plate shape so as to fit along each upper surface 10b. A coolant flow path (not shown) through which the coolant flows is formed inside the cooler body 31. The cooler body 31 is formed of, for example, aluminum. The cooler body 31 and the damming portion 32 are examples of the "first portion" and "second portion" of the present disclosure, respectively. The upper surface 10b is an example of the "first upper surface" of the present disclosure.

[0024] The damming portion 32 is disposed on the Z1 side of the cooler body 31. Specifically, the damming portion 32 is disposed on the upper surface 31a of the cooler body 31. The damming portion 32 may be fixed to the upper surface 31a by, for example, an adhesive, welding, or the like. The upper surface 31a is an example of a "second upper surface" in the present disclosure.

[0025] The damming portion 32 is provided so as to protrude toward the Z1 side from the cooler body 31. That is, an upper surface 32a, which is the upper end surface of the damming portion 32, is located closer to the Z1 side than an upper surface 31a, which is the upper end surface of the cooler body 31.

[0026] An upper surface 32a of the blocking portion 32 extends parallel to an upper surface 31a of the cooler body 31. That is, the upper surface 32a is a flat surface that extends horizontally (perpendicular to the Z direction).

[0027] In a conventional electricity storage device, condensation water formed on the upper surface of the cooler may flow over the upper surface of the cooler and drip from the outer periphery of the cooler.

[0028] Therefore, in this embodiment, the damming portion 32 is provided to block condensation water generated on the upper surface 31a of the cooler body 31 from flowing toward the outer circumferential edge 31b of the cooler body 31. Specifically, the damming portion 32 is arranged to separate (isolate) the outer circumferential edge 31b from an inner region 31c of the cooler body 31 that is provided inside the damming portion 32. Details will be described later.

[0029] 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the energy storage cell 11. The energy storage cell 11 has a short side surface 11a, a short side surface 11b, a long side surface 11c, a long side surface 11d, an upper surface 11e, and a lower surface 11f.

[0030] The short side surface 11a and the short side surface 11b are respectively one end surface and the other end surface in the X direction of the storage cell 11. The long side surface 11c and the long side surface 11d are respectively one end surface and the other end surface in the Y direction of the storage cell 11.

[0031] The upper surface 11e and the lower surface 11f are the Z1-side end surface and the Z2-side end surface, respectively, of the energy storage cell 11. The upper surface 10b (FIG. 1) of the cell unit 10a is formed by arranging the upper surfaces 11e of the multiple energy storage cells 11 in the Y direction.

[0032] The energy storage cell 11 is formed to be elongated in the X direction. Specifically, the width W1 of the energy storage cell 11 in the X direction is larger than the width W2 of the energy storage cell 11 in the Y direction. Furthermore, the width W1 is larger than the height H of the energy storage cell 11 in the Z direction. The height H is larger than the width W2. Note that the energy storage cell 11 may also be formed to be elongated in the Y direction.

[0033] The storage cell 11 further has a positive electrode terminal 12 and a negative electrode terminal 13. The positive electrode terminal 12 is provided on the short side surface 11a. The negative electrode terminal 13 is provided on the short side surface 11b.

[0034] 4 is a plan view of the cooler 30 and the electricity storage module 10 viewed from above (Z1 side). The blocking portion 32 is provided along the outer peripheral edge 31b of the cooler body 31. Specifically, when viewed from the Z1 side, the outer peripheral edge 32b of the blocking portion 32 overlaps with the outer peripheral edge 31b of the cooler body 31.

[0035] Therefore, the upper surface 31a of the cooler body 31 is exposed only in the inner region 31c that is provided inside the damming portion 32. This makes it possible to prevent condensation of water from the cooler body 31 from occurring outside the damming portion 32.

[0036] Specifically, the damming portion 32 is formed circumferentially and continuously along the outer peripheral edge 31b of the cooler body 31. In other words, the damming portion 32 is formed in an annular shape and is provided so as to surround the inner region 31c when viewed from the Z1 side.

[0037] The blocking portion 32 has a width W3 when viewed from the Z1 side. The width W3 is the width in the Y direction of a portion of the blocking portion 32 extending in the X direction, and is also the width in the X direction of a portion of the blocking portion 32 extending in the Y direction. The widths W3 of the respective portions of the blocking portion 32 are equal to each other. The width W3 is, for example, smaller than the width W2 ( FIG. 3 ) of the energy storage cell 11 in the Y direction. Note that the width W3 may be equal to or larger than the width W2.

[0038] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 5, the energy storage device 100 further includes a thermally conductive material 40 and an adhesive material 50. The thermally conductive material 40 is disposed (applied) on the upper surface 11e of each energy storage cell 11. As a result, the upper surface 10b (Fig. 1) of each cell unit 10a is covered with the thermally conductive material 40.

[0039] The adhesive material 50 is provided between the lower surface 11f of each storage cell 11 and the lower case 22. In this way, each storage cell 11 is fixed to the lower case 22 by the adhesive material 50.

[0040] The damming portion 32 has a thickness t1 in the Z direction. The cooler body 31 has a thickness t2 in the Z direction. The thickness t1 is equal to or greater than the thickness t2. This prevents condensation water generated on the upper surface 31a of the cooler body 31 (inner region 31c) from flowing beyond the damming portion 32 to the outside of the cooler 30, compared to when the thickness t1 is less than the thickness t2.

[0041] The damming portion 32 is formed from a material that generates heat when it absorbs moisture (for example, fibers such as wool, cotton, rayon, and nylon). As a result, the condensation water whose flow is blocked by the damming portion 32 is absorbed by the damming portion 32 and evaporates due to the heat generated by the damming portion 32.

[0042] The blocking portion 32 is formed of an elastic material. The blocking portion 32 is formed of a material having a lower modulus of elasticity (Young's modulus, etc.) than, for example, the case 20 (upper case 21, lower case 22). The blocking portion 32 may be formed of a fiber or the like that has moisture-absorbing and heat-generating properties and a low modulus of elasticity, as described above. The blocking portion 32 may also be formed of rubber, sponge, or the like. This allows the blocking portion 32 to function as a buffer member for the upper member (for example, the upper case 21, etc.). Therefore, the blocking portion 32 is more useful as a buffer member than when the thickness t1 of the blocking portion 32 is less than the thickness t2 of the cooler body 31.

[0043] The damming portion 32 has an inner surface 32c. The inner surface 32c of the damming portion 32 extends in the Z direction. That is, the inner surface 32c is perpendicular to the upper surface 31a of the cooler body 31. This allows the damming portion 32 to more reliably block condensation water generated on the upper surface 31a of the cooler body 31 (inner region 31c) than when the inner surface 32c of the damming portion 32 is inclined to face the Z1 side. Furthermore, this makes it possible to prevent condensation water from accumulating below the inner surface 32c than when the inner surface 32c of the damming portion 32 is inclined to face the Z2 side.

[0044] The case 20 further includes a heat insulating member 23. The heat insulating member 23 is formed in a sheet shape. The heat insulating member 23 includes an upper portion 23a and a side portion 23b. The upper portion 23a is attached to the inner surface 21c of the ceiling portion 21a of the upper case 21. The side portion 23b is attached to the inner circumferential surface 21d of the peripheral wall portion 21b of the upper case 21. The inner surface 21c and the inner circumferential surface 21d of the upper case 21 each face the inside of the case 20. By providing the heat insulating member 23, it is possible to suppress the upper case 21 from being cooled by the cooler 30. As a result, it is possible to suppress the formation of condensation on the outer surface of the upper case 21.

[0045] The upper portion 23a of the heat insulating member 23 is provided so as to cover the cooler 30 from the Z1 side. The side portion 23b of the heat insulating member 23 is provided so as to surround the cooler 30 from the sides. The upper portion 23a is formed integrally with the side portion 23b. Note that the upper portion 23a may be provided separately (separately) from the side portion 23b.

[0046] The damming portion 32 is spaced apart from the heat insulating member 23. The damming portion 32 and the heat insulating member 23 (for example, the upper portion 23a) may be in contact with each other.

[0047] As described above, in the first embodiment, the damming portion 32 is provided to block condensation water generated on the upper surface 31a of the cooler body 31 from flowing toward the outer peripheral edge 31b of the cooler body 31. This allows the damming portion 32 to block the condensation water from flowing to the outer peripheral edge 31b. As a result, it is possible to prevent the condensation water from dripping from the outer peripheral edge 31b. This makes it possible to prevent water droplets from adhering to electronic components and the like below the cooler 30.

[0048] Moreover, in the first embodiment, the damming portion 32 is provided along the outer peripheral edge 31b of the cooler body 31. This makes it possible to make the area of ​​the portion of the upper surface 31a of the cooler body 31 that is provided between the damming portion 32 and the outer peripheral edge 31b almost zero. As a result, it is possible to minimize the amount of condensation water that occurs outside the damming portion 32. Furthermore, because the portion of the upper surface 31a near the outer peripheral edge 31b is covered by the damming portion 32, it is possible to suppress the generation of condensation water in the portion near the outer peripheral edge 31b.

[0049] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment in which the cooler body 31 and the damming portion 32 are provided as separate bodies, the cooler body 131 and the damming portion 132 are integrally formed. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and repeated description will not be provided.

[0050] The power storage device 300 of the second embodiment differs from the power storage device 100 of the first embodiment in that a cooler 130 is provided instead of the cooler 30 (FIG. 2).

[0051] The cooler 130 includes a cooler main body 131 and a damming portion 132. The shape (outer diameter), size, and arrangement position of the cooler main body 131 are the same as those of the cooler main body 31 (FIG. 2) of the first embodiment. The shape (outer diameter), size, and arrangement position of the damming portion 132 are the same as those of the damming portion 32 (FIG. 2) of the first embodiment. The cooler main body 131 and the damming portion 132 are examples of the "first portion" and "second portion" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0052] In the second embodiment, the cooler main body 131 is formed integrally with the damming portion 132. For example, the damming portion 132 may be formed by bending the outer periphery of a metal plate that constitutes the cooler 130 toward the Z1 side. Note that the damming portion 132 does not need to be formed with a flow path through which the coolant flows.

[0053] The cooler body 131 has an upper surface 131a and an outer peripheral edge 131b. The blocking portion 132 has an upper surface 132a, an outer peripheral edge 132b, and an inner surface 132c. The upper surface 131a of the cooler body 131, the inner surface 132c of the blocking portion 132, and the upper surface 132a of the blocking portion 132 are formed continuously. The upper surface 131a is an example of a "second upper surface" in the present disclosure.

[0054] In the second embodiment, a buffer material, a moisture absorbing material, etc. may be disposed on the upper surface 132a of the blocking portion 132. Furthermore, a buffer material may be attached to the inner surface 21c and the inner peripheral surface 21d of the upper case 21, etc.

[0055] The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described repeatedly.

[0056] As described above, in the second embodiment, the damming portion 132 is formed integrally with the cooler main body 131. This allows the configuration of the cooler 130 to be simplified and the number of parts in the cooler 130 (electricity storage device 300) to be reduced compared to when the cooler main body 131 and the damming portion 132 are separate bodies.

[0057] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the damming portion 32 is provided along the outer peripheral edge 31b of the cooler body 31, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. As shown in Fig. 7, the damming portion 232 may be spaced apart from the outer peripheral edge 31b. In this case, a heat insulating material 33 may be disposed on the upper surface 31a in the region between the damming portion 232 and the outer peripheral edge 31b. The damming portion 232 is an example of the "second portion" of the present disclosure.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 7, a plurality of heat insulating materials 33 may be arranged outside the damming portion 232. Alternatively, a single annular heat insulating material may be arranged to surround the damming portion 232. As shown in Fig. 7, a portion of the upper surface 31a in the area outside the damming portion 232 may be covered with the heat insulating material 33. Alternatively, the entire upper surface 31a in the area outside the damming portion 232 may be covered with the heat insulating material.

[0059] The position of the heat insulating material is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 7. For example, the heat insulating material may be arranged inside the blocking portion 32 (inner region 31c, Fig. 2).

[0060] 8, in addition to the damming portion 32, a damming portion 34 may be arranged in the inner region 31c. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of damming portions 34 (four in FIG. 8) are provided, and extend linearly in a predetermined direction (X direction or Y direction). Note that the damming portion 34 may extend in an oblique direction so as to intersect with each of the X direction and the Y direction. Also, a bent damming portion may be provided in the inner region 31c. Note that the modified examples shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may also be applied to the second embodiment.

[0061] In the first embodiment, the blocking portion 32 is formed continuously and circumferentially along the outer peripheral edge 31b, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. A plurality of blocking portions may be arranged circumferentially along the outer peripheral edge 31b. This modification may also be applied to the second embodiment.

[0062] In the first embodiment, the upper surface 32a of the damming portion 32 extends horizontally. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the upper surface of the damming portion may be inclined relative to the horizontal. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 , the upper surface 332a of the damming portion 332 is inclined so that the upper end of the outer surface 332d of the damming portion 332 is located closer to the Z1 side than the upper end of the inner surface 332c of the damming portion 332. This allows condensation water that has flowed over the inner surface 332c to be returned to the inner region 31c by the upper surface 332a. Note that a step or the like may be provided instead of an inclined surface such as the upper surface 332a. Also, a recess (groove) or the like may be formed on the upper surface of the damming portion. Note that the damming portion 332 is an example of a "second portion" in the present disclosure. These modified examples may also be applied to the second embodiment.

[0063] In the first embodiment, the blocking portion 32 is formed from a hygroscopic and heat-generating material, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The blocking portion may not be hygroscopic or heat-generating. Alternatively, the blocking portion may be hygroscopic but not heat-generating.

[0064] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10 Energy storage module, 10b Upper surface (first upper surface), 11 Energy storage cell, 20 Case, 21 Upper case (upper cover), 30, 130, 230 Cooler, 31, 131 Cooler body (first part), 31a, 131a Upper surface (second upper surface), 31b, 131b Outer peripheral edge (outer peripheral edge of first part), 32, 34, 132, 232, 332 Damming portion (second part), 33 Heat insulating material, 100, 300 Energy storage device.

Claims

1. a power storage module; a cooler disposed above the power storage module, The cooler is a first portion extending along a first upper surface of the power storage module; a second portion provided so as to protrude upward from the first portion, The second portion is configured to block condensation water generated on a second upper surface of the first portion from flowing toward an outer periphery of the first portion.

2. The power storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion is provided along the outer periphery of the first portion.

3. The power storage device according to claim 2 , wherein the second portion is formed continuously and circumferentially along the outer periphery.

4. a case that houses the power storage module and the cooler; the case includes an upper cover that covers the cooler from above, 4. The power storage device according to claim 1, wherein the second portion is formed of an elastic material.

5. The power storage device according to claim 1 , further comprising a heat insulating material disposed on the second upper surface of the first portion.

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