Energy storage device

A partitioned heat exchanger design in power storage devices maintains functionality by enhancing strength against expansion and contraction, ensuring effective cooling.

JP2026092276APending Publication Date: 2026-06-05TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
Filing Date
2024-11-26
Publication Date
2026-06-05

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Heat exchangers in power storage devices deform due to expansion and contraction of energy storage elements, impairing their function.

Method used

A heat exchanger with a first partition wall extending longitudinally between energy storage elements, dividing the flow path into two sections, enhances strength and maintains function despite loads from expansion and contraction.

Benefits of technology

The partitioned heat exchanger maintains its functionality by suppressing deformation, ensuring effective cooling of energy storage elements.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 2026092276000001_ABST
    Figure 2026092276000001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The heat exchanger is configured to maintain its function under loads acting upon it. [Solution] The energy storage device includes a plurality of energy storage cells, and the heat exchange plate 32 includes a first member 32a that forms a first surface facing the long side of any of the plurality of energy storage cells, a second member 32b that forms a second surface facing the first surface, and a plurality of partition walls that form a flow path for refrigerant to flow between the first member 32a and the second member 32b. The plurality of partition walls include a partition wall 32e that divides the flow path into a flow path on the first member 32a side and a flow path on the second member side, and partition walls 32c, 32d that divide the flow path in the short direction of the long side.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power storage device.

Background Art

[0002] Various technologies related to power storage devices have been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-123690 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technique in which a heat exchanger is provided between power storage elements constituting a power storage device to absorb expansion and contraction of the power storage elements.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when a load acts on the heat exchanger due to expansion and contraction of the power storage elements, etc., if the heat exchanger is deformed, its function as a heat exchanger may be impaired.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a power storage device configured to be able to maintain its function against the load acting on the heat exchanger.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An energy storage device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of energy storage elements and a heat exchanger positioned between the plurality of energy storage elements, facing the long sides of the plurality of energy storage elements and extending in the longitudinal direction of the long sides. The heat exchanger includes a first member having a first surface facing one of the long sides of the plurality of energy storage elements, a second member having a second surface opposite to the first surface and facing the energy storage element, and a plurality of partitions forming a flow path for a refrigerant between the first member and the second member. The plurality of partitions include a first partition provided between the first member and the second member that divides the flow path into a flow path on the first member side and a flow path on the second member side, and a second partition that divides the flow path in the short direction of the long side.

[0007] In this way, the presence of a first partition wall in the heat exchanger increases its strength compared to the case where only a second partition wall is provided. Therefore, even if a load is applied to the heat exchanger due to the contraction or expansion of the energy storage element, deformation of the heat exchanger can be suppressed, and its function as a heat exchanger can be maintained.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first partition wall is provided continuously from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger.

[0009] In this way, the presence of a first partition wall in the heat exchanger increases its strength compared to the case where only a second partition wall is provided. Therefore, even if a load is applied to the heat exchanger due to the contraction or expansion of the energy storage element, deformation of the heat exchanger can be suppressed, and its function as a heat exchanger can be maintained.

[0010] In one further embodiment, the first partition wall is continuously provided in the central part of the heat exchanger, from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction.

[0011] In this way, the pressure loss can be adjusted by the length of the central section, making it possible to achieve a desired cooling state, such as uniformly cooling the energy storage element using a heat exchanger.

[0012] In one further embodiment, the first partition wall is provided continuously for a predetermined section from the end of the heat exchanger that is supplied with refrigerant, between the longitudinal end and the other end.

[0013] In this way, the pressure loss can be adjusted according to the predetermined length of the section, making it possible to achieve a desired cooling state, such as uniformly cooling the energy storage element using a heat exchanger.

[0014] In one further embodiment, the heat exchanger includes a first heat exchanger including a first partition wall and a second heat exchanger not including the first partition wall. The second heat exchanger is positioned downstream of the first heat exchanger in the flow of the refrigerant.

[0015] In this way, multiple energy storage elements that exchange heat with the first or second heat exchanger can be cooled uniformly. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an energy storage device configured to maintain its function against loads acting on a heat exchanger. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This diagram schematically shows a vehicle 1 equipped with an energy storage device 2. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view showing the energy storage device 2. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing the cooling device 12, etc. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the cooling device 12. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the heat exchange plate 32. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the heat exchange plate 32A in a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] 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 denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a vehicle 1 equipped with a power storage device 2. The vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 3, and the power storage device 2 is mounted at the bottom of the vehicle body 3.

[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the power storage device 2. In FIG. 2, the width direction W is the width direction of the power storage device 2 and also the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 1. The front-rear direction L is the front-rear direction of the power storage device 2 and also the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. The vertical direction H is the vertical direction of the power storage device 2 and also the vertical direction of the vehicle 1.

[0021] The power storage device 2 includes a housing case 10, a power storage module 11, a cooling device 12, and an electrical device 13. The housing case 10 includes a lower case 15, an upper case 16, an insulating plate 17, and a shared panel 18.

[0022] The lower case 15 is formed to open upward, and the upper case 16 is provided to close the opening of the lower case 15.

[0023] The lower case 15 includes a bottom plate 20, a peripheral wall 21, partition walls 22, 23, and an insulating plate 24.

[0024] The bottom plate 20 is formed in a plate shape. The peripheral wall 21 is formed along the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate 20. The peripheral wall 21 includes side walls 25 and 26, end plates 27 and 28.

[0025] The side walls 25 and 26 are arranged to be arrayed in the width direction W, and the side walls 25 and 26 are formed to extend in the front-rear direction L.

[0026] End plates 27 and 28 are provided with a gap in the front-rear direction L, and are formed to extend in the width direction W. End plate 27 connects one end of side wall 25 to one end of side wall 26, and end plate 28 connects one end of side wall 25 to one end of side wall 26.

[0027] Each side wall 25, side wall 26, end plate 27, and end plate 28 is provided with a fixing part, which will be described later, and each fixing part is fixed to the vehicle body 3.

[0028] Partition walls 22 and 23 are located within the area enclosed by the bottom plate 20 and the peripheral wall 21. Partition wall 22 is positioned adjacent to the end plate 27, and is formed to extend in the width direction W.

[0029] The partition wall 23 is positioned with a gap L in the front-to-back direction relative to the end plate 28. The end plate 28 is also formed to extend in the width direction W.

[0030] The end plate 28 is provided with breathable membranes 19A and 19B. Breathable membranes 19A and 19B are waterproof and breathable membranes, and for example, breathable membranes 19A and 19B are made of Gore-Tex or the like.

[0031] The insulating plate 24 is positioned on the upper surface of the bottom plate 20, between the partition walls 22 and 23. The insulating plate 24 has a plurality of openings 24a. The insulating plate 24 is provided with insulating protectors 24b that close these openings 24a.

[0032] The insulating plate 17 is fixed to the lower surface of the base plate 20, and multiple openings 17a are formed in the insulating plate 17.

[0033] Multiple openings 20a are also formed in the base plate 20. The openings 24a, 20a, and 17a are arranged vertically relative to each other.

[0034] The shear panel 18 is positioned below the insulating plate 17, and its outer edge is fixed to the underside of the base plate 20. The shear panel 18 is formed to cover both the insulating plate 17 and the underside of the base plate 20.

[0035] The energy storage module 11 is located on the upper surface of the insulating plate 24. The electrical equipment 13 is located between the partition wall 23 and the end plate 28.

[0036] The energy storage module 11 includes a plurality of energy storage cells 29. The plurality of energy storage cells 29 are arranged with spacing in the front-to-back direction L and with spacing in the width direction W. The energy storage cells 29 may be made up of nickel-metal hydride batteries or lithium-ion batteries, or they may be made up of energy storage elements such as capacitors.

[0037] Figure 2(A) shows a perspective view of a storage cell 29. The storage cell 29 includes a cell case 4 and an electrode body 5 housed within the cell case 4. The cell case 4 includes a bottom plate, and a smoke exhaust valve 6 is formed on the bottom plate of the cell case 4. Each storage cell 29 is arranged such that the smoke exhaust valve 6 is located above the opening 24a of the insulating plate 24 shown in Figure 2.

[0038] Figure 3 is a plan view showing the cooling device 12, etc., and Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the cooling device 12. Note that the energy storage cells 29, etc., are not shown in Figure 4.

[0039] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the cooling device 12 includes a heat exchanger 30, a refrigerant pipe 31, and an insulating member 40. The heat exchanger 30 includes a plurality of heat exchange plates 32 and a heat exchange plate 33.

[0040] Multiple heat exchange plates 32 are arranged with a gap between them in the front-to-back direction L. Each heat exchange plate 32 is arranged to extend in the width direction W. Multiple energy storage cells 29 are arranged in the width direction W between adjacent heat exchange plates 32 in the front-to-back direction L.

[0041] The refrigerant pipe 31 is located inside the housing case 10 and includes a supply pipe 35 and a discharge pipe 36.

[0042] The supply pipe 35 is connected to the supply section 34A, which is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the end plate 27 and is fixed to the end plate 27.

[0043] The supply pipe 35 includes the main supply pipe 37A, the main supply pipe 37B, and the branch pipes 37C, 37D, and 37E.

[0044] The main supply pipe 37A is positioned between the partition wall 22 and the end plate 27, and is positioned to extend in the width direction W. The main supply pipe 37A is formed to extend toward the side wall 25.

[0045] The main supply pipe 37B is connected to the end of the main supply pipe 37A and is formed to extend in the front-rear direction L along the side wall 25.

[0046] Each branch pipe 37C, 37D, and 37E is positioned below the main supply pipe 37B and connected to the main supply pipe 37B. The branch pipes 37C, 37D, and 37E are spaced apart in the front-to-back direction L.

[0047] Furthermore, the connection points between the main supply pipe 37B and each branch pipe 37C, 37D, and 37E are provided with a gap in the front-to-back direction L.

[0048] Multiple heat exchange plates 32, spaced apart in the front-to-back direction L, are connected to branch pipe 37C. Similarly, multiple heat exchange plates 32, spaced apart in the front-to-back direction L, are also connected to branch pipes 37D and 37E.

[0049] A heat exchange plate 33 is connected to the end of the main supply pipe 37B on the end plate 28 side. The heat exchange plate 33 is located on the upper surface of the bottom plate 20, in the portion between the partition wall 23 and the end plate 28. An insulating plate is placed between the heat exchange plate 33 and the bottom plate 20. Electrical equipment 13 is placed on the upper surface of the heat exchange plate 33. The electrical equipment 13 includes, for example, a battery ECU and a junction box.

[0050] The discharge pipe 36 includes a main discharge pipe 38A, a main discharge pipe 38B, and branch pipes 38C, 38D, and 38E.

[0051] The discharge pipe 36 is connected to the discharge section 34B, which is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the end plate 27 and fixed to the end plate 27. The insertion holes 39A and 39B are formed with a gap between them in the width direction W.

[0052] The main discharge pipe 38A is positioned between the partition wall 22 and the end plate 27, is positioned to extend in the width direction W, and is formed to extend toward the side wall 26.

[0053] The main discharge pipe 38B is connected to the end of the main discharge pipe 38B and is formed to extend along the side wall 26.

[0054] Each branch pipe 38C, 38D, and 38E is positioned below the main discharge pipe 38B and connected to the main supply pipe 37B. The branch pipes 38C, 38D, and 38E are spaced apart in the front-to-back direction L.

[0055] Multiple heat exchange plates 32, spaced apart in the front-to-back direction L, are connected to the branch pipe 38C. Similarly, multiple heat exchange plates 32, spaced apart in the front-to-back direction L, are also connected to the branch pipes 38D and 38E. A heat exchange plate 33 is connected to the end of the main discharge pipe 38B on the end plate 28 side.

[0056] The thermal insulation member 40 includes thermal insulation members 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, and 40E, and thermal insulation members 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, and 41E.

[0057] The insulating member 40A is formed to cover the main supply pipe 37A. The insulating member 40B covers the main supply pipe 37B. Similarly, the insulating members 40C, 40D, and 40E cover the branch pipes 37C, 37D, and 37E. The insulating members 41A and 41B cover the main discharge pipes 38A and 38B, and the insulating members 41C, 41D, and 41E cover the branch pipes 38C, 38D, and 38E.

[0058] As shown in Figure 3, a fixing portion 75A is formed on the outer surface of the side wall 25, and similarly, a fixing portion 76A is formed on the outer surface of the side wall 26.

[0059] Fixing portions 77A and 77B are formed on the outer surface of the end plate 27, and fixing portions 78A and 78B are formed on the outer surface of the end plate 28.

[0060] The fixing parts 77A and 77B are fixed to the vehicle body 3 by fastening members. For example, the vehicle body 3 includes side sills arranged at intervals in the width direction W, cross members connecting the side sills, and a floor panel, and the fixing parts 77A and 77B are fixed to the cross members. Alternatively, the fixing parts 77A and 77B may be fixed to the floor panel.

[0061] The fixing portion 75A is formed to protrude in the width direction W from the outer surface of the side wall 25. The fixing portion 76A is formed to protrude in the width direction W from the outer surface of the side wall portion 26. The fixing portions 75A and 76A are fixed to the side sill of the vehicle body 3 by fastening members.

[0062] The energy storage device 2 configured as described above will now be explained. In Figure 2, when the energy storage module 11 is cooled, refrigerant C is supplied to the cooling device 12. Then, in Figure 3, refrigerant C is supplied from the supply unit 34A to the supply pipe 35. Specifically, refrigerant C is supplied to the main supply pipe 37A. After that, refrigerant C enters the main supply pipe 37B. Then, a portion of the refrigerant C that enters the main supply pipe 37A enters the branch pipes 37C, 37D, and 37E.

[0063] The refrigerant C that enters the branch pipes 37C, 37D, and 37E is supplied to the multiple heat exchange plates 32 connected to the branch pipes 37C, 37D, and 37E.

[0064] The refrigerant C is supplied to multiple heat exchange plates 32, thereby cooling the energy storage cells 29 placed between the heat exchange plates 32. At the same time, the refrigerant C circulating within the heat exchange plates 32 is heated by the heat from the energy storage cells 29.

[0065] Multiple heat exchange plates 32 are connected to branch pipes 38C, 38D, and 38E, and the refrigerant C heated within the heat exchange plates 32 enters the branch pipes 38C, 38D, and 38E.

[0066] The branch pipes 38C, 38D, and 38E are connected to the main discharge pipe 38A, and the refrigerant C passes through the main discharge pipe 38A and is discharged to the outside of the housing case 10 from the discharge section 34B. The discharge section 34B is connected to a radiator or the like (not shown), and the refrigerant C is cooled by the radiator or the like. The cooled refrigerant C is then supplied back to the supply section 34A.

[0067] Furthermore, a heat exchange plate 33 is connected to the end of the main discharge pipe 38A, and the electrical equipment 13 is cooled by the heat exchange plate 33. The heat exchange plate 33 is connected to the end of the main discharge pipe 38B, and the refrigerant C enters the main discharge pipe 38B.

[0068] The heat exchange plate 32 is positioned between the multiple energy storage cells 29, facing the longitudinal (width direction W) side surfaces (hereinafter referred to as the longitudinal side surfaces) of the multiple energy storage cells 29. The heat exchange plate 32 is provided extending in the longitudinal direction (width direction W) of the longitudinal side surfaces of the multiple energy storage cells 29.

[0069] In the energy storage device 2 configured as described above, if a load is applied to the heat exchange plate 32 due to the expansion and contraction of the energy storage cells 29, the heat exchange plate 32 may deform, which may impair its function as a heat exchanger.

[0070] Therefore, in this embodiment, the heat exchange plate 32 is configured as follows. That is, the heat exchange plate 32 includes a first member that forms a first surface facing the long side of any of the plurality of energy storage cells 29, a second member that forms a second surface facing the first surface, and a plurality of partitions that form a flow path for refrigerant to flow between the first member and the second member. The plurality of partitions include a first partition provided between the first member and the second member that divides the flow path into a flow path on the first member side and a flow path on the second member side, and a second partition that divides the flow path in the short direction of the long side.

[0071] In this way, the presence of a first partition wall in the heat exchange plate 32 increases the strength of the heat exchange plate 32 compared to the case where only a second partition wall is provided. Therefore, even if a load is applied to the heat exchange plate 32 due to contraction or expansion of the energy storage cell 29, deformation of the heat exchange plate 32 can be suppressed, and the function of the heat exchanger can be maintained.

[0072] Referring to Figure 5, the specific configuration of the heat exchange plate 32 of the energy storage device 2 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0073] Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of the heat exchange plate 32. As shown in Figure 5, the heat exchange plate 32 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front-to-back direction L. The heat exchange plate 32 has a hollow interior. Multiple partition walls (barriers) are provided inside the heat exchange plate 32. Multiple refrigerant flow paths are formed inside the heat exchange plate 32 by the multiple partition walls. A connection part 50 connected to a supply pipe 35 is provided at one end of the heat exchange plate 32 in the width direction W. A connection part 52 connected to a discharge pipe 36 together with the heat exchange plate 32 is provided at the other end in the width direction W. Therefore, the refrigerant supplied from the connection part 50 to the supply pipe 35 flows through the flow paths inside the heat exchange plate 32 from one end to the other end, and is then discharged from the connection part 52 to the discharge pipe 36.

[0074] The heat exchange plate 32 is formed from, for example, a highly thermally conductive metal such as aluminum or a resin. The heat exchange plate 32 is manufactured, for example, by attaching connecting parts 50 and 52 to a hollow aluminum member formed by extrusion.

[0075] Figure 5(A) shows an example of a cross-section of the heat exchange plate 32. Figure 5(A) shows the A-A' cross-section of the heat exchange plate 32. As shown in Figure 5(A), the heat exchange plate 32 has a first member 32a that forms a first surface facing the long side of one of the energy storage cells 29 in the front-rear direction L, and a second member 32b that forms a second surface facing the first surface. The second member 32b faces the long side of the other energy storage cell 29. Multiple flow channels are formed in the heat exchange plate 32 by a plurality of partition walls, including partition walls 32c and 32d formed along mutually parallel planes connecting the first member 32a and the second member 32b, and a partition wall 32e formed along a plane parallel to the plane formed in the vertical direction H and the width direction W. Partition wall 32e corresponds to the "first partition wall," and partition walls 32c and 32d correspond to the "second partition wall."

[0076] Figure 5(B) shows, as a comparative example, a heat exchange plate 32' in which multiple flow paths are formed by a first member 32a, a second member 32b, a partition wall 32c', and a partition wall 32d'. The surface forming partition wall 32c' and the surface forming partition wall 32d' are parallel to each other. The heat exchange plate 32 has a configuration in which partition walls are newly provided that divide each of the multiple flow paths with planes parallel to the planes formed in the vertical direction H and the width direction W compared to the heat exchange plate 32' in Figure 5(B). The partition wall 32e that divides the flow path of the heat exchange plate 32 into a first flow path on the first member 32a side and a second flow path on the second member 32b side may be configured to divide the first flow path and the second flow path so that they have the same flow path cross-sectional area, or it may be configured to divide them so that they have different flow path cross-sectional areas.

[0077] In this embodiment, the heat exchange plate 32 is configured to have a continuous cross-section as shown in Figure 5(A) from one end to the other in the width direction W of the heat exchange plate 32.

[0078] As the energy storage cell 29 is charged or discharged, the energy storage cell 29 expands or contracts. For example, when the energy storage cell 29 expands, a force acts on the heat exchange plate 32 to compress it along the front-rear direction L. Against this force, for example, by providing a partition wall 32e in addition to the multiple partition walls including partition walls 32c and 32d connecting the first member 32a and the second member 32b, the strength of the heat exchange plate 32 increases compared to when there is no partition wall 32e. As a result, plastic deformation of the heat exchange plate 32 is suppressed, the flow area is maintained, and the flow of the refrigerant is maintained. Subsequently, when the energy storage cell 29 contracts, a force acts on the heat exchange plate 32 in a direction that separates the first member 32a and the second member 32b. Even in this case, by providing a partition wall 32e in addition to the multiple partition walls connecting the first member 32a and the second member 32b, the strength of the heat exchange plate 32 increases compared to when there is no partition wall 32e. As a result, plastic deformation of the heat exchange plate 32 is suppressed. In this way, even when the energy storage cell 29 expands or contracts, causing a load to act on the heat exchange plate 32, the heat exchanger maintains its function.

[0079] As described above, according to the energy storage device 2 of this embodiment, the presence of partition walls 32e increases the strength of the heat exchange plate 32 compared to the case where partition walls 32e are not provided (heat exchange plate 32' of the comparative example). Therefore, even if a load is applied to the heat exchange plate 32 due to the contraction or expansion of the energy storage cells 29, deformation of the heat exchange plate can be suppressed, and the function as a heat exchanger can be maintained. Thus, it is possible to provide an energy storage device configured to maintain its function against loads applied to the heat exchanger.

[0080] The following describes some variations. In the above-described embodiment, a partition wall 32e is provided from one end to the other end in the width direction W of the heat exchange plate 32 as an example, but the configuration is not limited to such an example. For example, a configuration may be set in which a partition wall 32e is provided in a part of the section from one end to the other end in the width direction W of the heat exchange plate 32, and a partition wall 32e is not provided in other sections.

[0081] Figure 6 shows an example of the configuration of the heat exchange plate 32A in a modified example. The heat exchange plate 32A shown in Figure 6 differs from the heat exchange plate 32 shown in Figure 5 in that the cross section within the dashed line frame is the same as that of Figure 5(A), and the cross section within the dashed-dotted line frame is the same as that of Figure 5(B). The other configurations in Figure 6, including Figures 6(A) and 6(B), are the same as those in Figure 5 (including Figures 5(A) and 5(B)), so a detailed explanation will not be repeated.

[0082] As shown in Figure 6, the cross section of the heat exchange plate 32A from one end (connection part 50) where the refrigerant is supplied to a predetermined distance in the width direction W has the cross-sectional structure shown in Figure 6(A), and the cross section of the remaining part has the cross-sectional structure shown in Figure 6(B).

[0083] In this way, the strength of the cross-sectional structure shown in Figure 6(A) is increased, and the pressure loss in the flow path in the dashed-line framed section of the heat exchange plate 32 can be adjusted by adjusting the distance at which the cross-sectional structure shown in Figure 6(A) is set. As a result, the flow rate and flow rate of the refrigerant can be adjusted for each heat exchange plate 32A. This allows for uniform cooling of multiple energy storage cells 29 by adjusting the distance at which the cross-sectional structure shown in Figure 6(A) is set for each heat exchange plate 32A, thereby eliminating variations in cooling in the energy storage module 11.

[0084] Furthermore, the area where the cross-sectional structure shown in Figure 6(A) is set is not limited to the position of the dashed line frame in Figure 6, but may also be set on the dashed line side (i.e., the connection part 52 side), or in the center of the heat exchange plate 32A. In this way, variations in cooling in the energy storage module 11 can be eliminated.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case in which each of the multiple heat exchange plates 32 has the cross-section shown in Figure 5(A) was explained as an example, but the configuration is not limited to such an example. For example, some of the multiple heat exchange plates 32 arranged along the front-rear direction L may be first heat exchange plates having the cross-section shown in Figure 5(A), and the remainder may be second heat exchange plates having the cross-section shown in Figure 5(B), with the second heat exchange plates positioned downstream of the refrigerant from the first heat exchange plates.

[0086] For example, in some predetermined heat exchange plates where the refrigerant flow distance from the main supply pipe 37A (or main supply pipe 37B) is short, a heat exchange plate having the cross-section shown in Figure 5(A) may be set, while in other heat exchange plates where the refrigerant flow distance from the main supply pipe 37A is long, a heat exchange plate having the cross-section shown in Figure 5(B) may be set.

[0087] In this way, by adjusting the number of heat exchange plates having the cross-section shown in Figure 5(A), multiple energy storage cells 29 can be cooled uniformly. Therefore, variations in cooling in the energy storage module 11 can be eliminated.

[0088] Furthermore, the above-mentioned modifications may be implemented by combining all or part of them as appropriate. The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] 1 Vehicle, 2 Energy storage device, 3 Vehicle body, 4 Cell case, 5 Electrode body, 6 Smoke exhaust valve, 10 Housing case, 11 Energy storage module, 12 Cooling device, 13 Electrical equipment, 15 Lower case, 16 Upper case, 17 Insulating plate, 18 Shear panel, 19A, 19B Breathing membrane, 20 Bottom plate, 21 Peripheral wall, 22, 23 Partition wall, 24 Insulating plate, 25, 26 Side wall, 27, 28 End plate, 29 Energy storage cell, 30 Heat exchanger, 31 Refrigerant pipe, 32, 32' Heat exchange plate, 32a First component, 32A Heat exchange plate, 32b Second component, 32c, 32c', 32d, 32d', 32e Compartment wall, 33 Heat exchange plate, 35 Supply pipe, 36 Discharge pipe, 37A Main supply pipe, 37B Main supply pipe, 38A, 38B; Main discharge pipe, 50, 52; Connection section.

Claims

1. Multiple energy storage elements, The system comprises a heat exchanger positioned between the plurality of energy storage elements, facing the long sides of the plurality of energy storage elements, and extending in the longitudinal direction of the long sides, The heat exchanger is, A first member having a first surface facing one of the long sides of the plurality of energy storage elements, A second member having a second surface opposite to the first surface and facing the energy storage element, The first member and the second member include a plurality of partition walls that form a flow path for refrigerant to flow between them, The aforementioned multiple partitions are, A first partition wall is provided between the first member and the second member, dividing the flow path into a flow path on the first member side and a flow path on the second member side, A power storage device comprising a second partition wall that divides the flow path in the short direction of the long side.

2. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein the first partition wall is provided continuously from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger.

3. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein the first partition wall is continuously provided in the central part of the heat exchanger between one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction.

4. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein the first partition wall is provided continuously for a predetermined section from the end of the heat exchanger that is supplied with the refrigerant, between the one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger.

5. The heat exchanger includes a first heat exchanger including the first partition wall and a second heat exchanger not including the first partition wall. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein the second heat exchanger is located downstream of the refrigerant flow relative to the first heat exchanger.