vehicle

Abstract

Suppresses the occurrence of condensation at the cooling points. [Solution] The vehicle comprises a battery cell 1 having an external terminal 4, a housing case 90 housing the battery cell 1, a cooler 50 through which a refrigerant flows and cools the battery cell 1, and a control device for controlling the temperature of the refrigerant. The control device calculates a first temperature, which is an estimated value of the temperature of the external terminal 4. The control device calculates a second temperature, which is an estimated value of the temperature of the cooling points within the housing case 90 that are cooled by the cooler 50. The control device estimates the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90 based on the first temperature and at least one of the temperature outside the vehicle and the humidity outside the vehicle. The control device raises the temperature of the refrigerant when the absolute humidity exceeds the saturated water vapor amount corresponding to the second temperature.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-50379 discloses a battery pack in which terminals (external terminals) are provided at the bottom of battery cells, and a heat dissipation member (cooler) is provided below the terminals.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a housing case that houses battery cells, when there is a temperature difference between a cooling portion cooled by a cooler and an external terminal, condensation may occur at the cooling portion, and there is a risk of a short circuit between the external terminals.

[0005] One object of the present disclosure is to suppress the occurrence of condensation at the cooling portion.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) A vehicle according to a certain aspect of the present disclosure comprises a battery cell having external terminals, a housing case housing the battery cell, a cooler through which a refrigerant flows and cools the battery cell, and a control device for controlling the temperature of the refrigerant. The control device calculates a first temperature, which is an estimate of the temperature of the external terminals. The control device calculates a second temperature, which is an estimate of the temperature of the cooling points within the housing case that are cooled by the cooler. The control device estimates the absolute humidity inside the housing case based on the first temperature and at least one of the temperature outside the vehicle and the humidity outside the vehicle. The control device raises the temperature of the refrigerant if the absolute humidity exceeds the saturated water vapor amount corresponding to the second temperature.

[0007] (2) The vehicle described in (1) above is further equipped with a busbar connected to an external terminal. The cooling point is the busbar.

[0008] (3) In the vehicle described in (2) above, the housing case includes a bottom plate. The cooler is provided on the underside of the bottom plate. The vehicle further includes a heat conductive material positioned between the upper surface of the bottom plate and the bus bar.

[0009] (4) In any vehicle described in (1) to (3) above, the control device raises the temperature of the refrigerant so that when the absolute humidity exceeds the saturated water vapor amount corresponding to the second temperature, the temperature of the cooling point becomes equal to or greater than the temperature at which the amount of water vapor equal to or greater than the absolute humidity becomes the saturated water vapor amount.

[0010] (5) In the vehicle described in any one of (1) to (3) above, the control device calculates the amount of heat generated by the battery cell from the current value flowing through the battery cell and calculates a first temperature based on the amount of heat generated. The vehicle is further connected to a cooler and includes a cooler pipe that supplies coolant to the cooler and a sensor that detects the temperature of the coolant supplied to the cooler. The control device calculates a second temperature based on the temperature of the coolant detected by the sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this disclosure, the occurrence of condensation at the cooling point can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the vehicle configuration in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the battery pack 110, cooler 50, and temperature control device 120. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of battery cell 1. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for refrigerant temperature adjustment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications 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 descriptions will not be repeated.

[0014] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a vehicle in one embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle 100 is, for example, an electric vehicle (BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle). The vehicle 100 may also be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). The vehicle 100 includes a battery pack 110, a cooler 50, a temperature control device 120, a driving unit 130, a monitoring unit 150, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 160.

[0015] The battery pack 110 includes a battery 10 that stores power for driving. The vehicle 100 is configured to be able to run using the power stored in the battery 10. The battery 10 is charged by regenerative power from the drive unit 130 or by power supplied from an external charging facility (external charging). The cooler 50 and temperature control device 120 will be described later.

[0016] The drive unit 130 includes a PCU (Power Control Unit) and an MG (Motor Generator), and is configured to drive the MG using the power stored in the battery 10 to propel the vehicle 100. The MG is also configured to perform regenerative power generation and supply the generated power (regenerative power) to the battery 10.

[0017] The monitoring unit 150 includes various sensors that detect the state of the battery 10 (e.g., voltage, current, and temperature) and outputs the detection results to the ECU 160.

[0018] The ECU 160 controls the temperature adjustment device 120 and the driving unit 130. The ECU 160 corresponds to the "control device" in the present disclosure. The ECU 160 includes a processor 161, a memory 162, and a communication unit 163. The processor 161 includes a processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The memory 162 includes a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or a SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), and a non-volatile storage device (storage) such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory. The memory 162 stores a system program including an OS (Operating System), a program for controlling the operation of the vehicle 100, and various maps. The processor 161 realizes various processes by reading out the system program and the program, expanding them in the memory 162, and executing them. As an example, the processor 161 controls the temperature of the refrigerant by executing the refrigerant temperature adjustment process described later. The communication unit 163 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with a data center 500 provided outside the vehicle 100 by a predetermined communication method.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the battery pack 110, the cooler 50, and the temperature adjustment device 120 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the battery cell 1 shown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the battery pack 110 includes a battery 10, a bus bar 20, a heat conductive material 30, and a housing case 90.

[0020] The battery 10 includes a plurality of battery cells 1 connected in series. The battery cell 1 may be a lithium-ion secondary battery or other secondary batteries (e.g., nickel-metal hydride secondary batteries). Further, the battery cell 1 may be a solid-state battery. In the present embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 1 are arranged in the first direction, and the battery cell 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the second direction.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the first direction, the second direction, and the vertical direction (vertical direction) are orthogonal to each other. In the present embodiment, the first direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 100, and the second direction corresponds to the width direction of the vehicle 100. Note that the first direction is not limited to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 100, and the second direction is not limited to the width direction of the vehicle 100. Further, the first direction and the second direction only need to intersect each other and do not have to be orthogonal. Also, the number of battery cells 1 included in the battery 10 may be 1. Further, the battery cell 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the first direction, and a plurality of battery cells 1 may be arranged in the second direction.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 4, the battery cell 1 includes an electrode body 2, a cell case 3, and a pair of external terminals 4a and 4b. The electrode body 2 may be composed of a wound body in which a positive electrode sheet and a negative electrode sheet are wound via a separator, or may be composed of a laminate in which a positive electrode sheet and a negative electrode sheet are laminated via a separator.

[0023] The cell case 3 houses the electrode body 2. The cell case 3 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cell case 3 is made of a metal such as aluminum. The cell case 3 includes a lower surface 3a and an upper surface 3b. The lower surface 3a and the upper surface 3b are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. The upper surface 3b is arranged above the lower surface 3a.

[0024] The pair of external terminals 4a and 4b are provided on the lower surface 3a of the cell case 3. In the present embodiment, the external terminal 4a is a positive electrode terminal, and the external terminal 4b is a negative electrode terminal. Note that the external terminal 4a may be a negative electrode terminal and the external terminal 4b may be a positive electrode terminal. Hereinafter, the external terminal 4a and the external terminal 4b are collectively referred to as the "external terminal 4".

[0025] Referring to Figure 3, the busbar 20 is connected to the external terminal 4 and electrically connects multiple battery cells 1. The busbar 20 is located below the external terminal 4.

[0026] The thermal conductive material 30 has higher thermal conductivity than, for example, air. The thermal conductive material 30 is placed between the upper surface 911b of the bottom plate 911 of the lower case 91 and the bus bar 20.

[0027] The housing case 90 includes a lower case 91 and an upper cover 92 positioned above the lower case 91. The lower case 91 is formed to open upward. The lower case 91 includes a bottom plate 911 and a peripheral wall 912 rising from the outer edge of the bottom plate 911. The bottom plate 911 includes a lower surface 911a and an upper surface 911b. The lower surface 911a and the upper surface 911b are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The upper surface 911b is positioned above the lower surface 911a. The upper cover 92 is formed to cover the opening of the lower case 91. The upper cover 92 includes a lower surface 92a and an upper surface 92b. The lower surface 92a and the upper surface 92b are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The upper surface 92b is positioned above the lower surface 92a. The battery 10 (i.e., multiple battery cells 1), busbar 20, and thermal conductive material 30 are housed in the space formed by the lower case 91 and the upper cover 92.

[0028] The cooler 50 is located outside the housing case 90. In this embodiment, the cooler 50 is located below the housing case 90. Specifically, the cooler 50 is located on the lower surface 911a of the bottom plate 911 of the housing case 90. The cooler 50 cools the battery cells 1 contained in the battery 10. More specifically, a flow path 51 through which a refrigerant (e.g., water or oil) flows is provided inside the cooler 50. The refrigerant exchanges heat with the busbar 20 by flowing through the flow path 51. The cooler 50 exchanges heat with the busbar 20 with a heat conductive material 30 in between. As the busbar 20 is cooled, the external terminals 4 connected to the busbar 20 are cooled.

[0029] Referring to Figure 2, the temperature control device 120 adjusts the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the cooler 50. The temperature control device 120 includes a refrigerant pipe 121, a switching valve Q, a cooling device 122, a heater 123, a pump 124, and a sensor 125.

[0030] The refrigerant pipe 121 is connected to the cooler 50 and supplies refrigerant to the cooler 50. The side 55 of the cooler 50 is provided with an inlet port 56a and an outlet port 56b.

[0031] The refrigerant pipe 121 includes pipe 121a and pipe 121b. The upstream end of pipe 121a in the direction of refrigerant flow is connected to the outlet port 56b, and the downstream end of pipe 121a in the direction of refrigerant flow is connected to the inlet port 56a. The upstream end of pipe 121b in the direction of refrigerant flow is connected to a first location P1 of pipe 121a. The downstream end of pipe 121b in the direction of refrigerant flow is connected to a second location P2 of pipe 121a, which is located downstream of the first location P1 in the direction of refrigerant flow.

[0032] The switching valve Q is located at the first location P1. The switching valve Q switches between a state where the refrigerant passes through piping 121b and a state where the refrigerant does not pass through piping 121b, in response to a control signal from the ECU 160. When the switching valve Q is closed in response to a control signal from the ECU 160, the refrigerant flows through piping 121a without passing through piping 121b and proceeds to the inlet port 56a. When the switching valve Q is open in response to a control signal from the ECU 160, the refrigerant proceeds through piping 121b to the inlet port 56a.

[0033] The cooling device 122 cools the refrigerant flowing through the piping 121a in response to a control signal from the ECU 160. The cooling device 122 is, for example, a radiator. The heater 123 raises the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the piping 121b in response to a control signal from the ECU 160.

[0034] Pump 124 circulates the refrigerant between the refrigerant pipe 121 and the flow path 51 of the cooler 50 (see Figure 3) in response to a control signal from the ECU 160. The pump 124 is driven in response to the control signal from the ECU 160, causing the refrigerant to circulate between the refrigerant pipe 121 and the flow path 51. The arrow R shown in Figure 2 indicates the direction of refrigerant flow. Specifically, the refrigerant flows through pipe 121a to the flow path 51 via the inlet port 56a, exchanges heat with the busbar 20, and then flows back into pipe 121a via the outlet port 56b. When the switching valve Q is closed, the refrigerant that flows into pipe 121a flows through pipe 121a without passing through pipe 121b and flows back into the flow path 51 via the inlet port 56a. On the other hand, when the switching valve Q is open, the refrigerant that flows into pipe 121a flows through pipe 121b and then flows back into the flow path 51 via the inlet port 56a.

[0035] Sensor 125 detects the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the cooler 50. Sensor 125 is located downstream of the cooling device 122 and upstream of the inflow port 56a in the direction of refrigerant flow. Sensor 125 outputs the detected temperature to the ECU 160.

[0036] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for the refrigerant temperature adjustment process. The refrigerant temperature adjustment process is repeated when predetermined conditions are met (for example, at predetermined intervals). Each step of the refrigerant temperature adjustment process is implemented by software processing by the ECU160, but may also be implemented by hardware (electrical circuits) located within the ECU160. Hereinafter, each step will be abbreviated as S.

[0037] In S1, the processor 161 obtains the current value flowing through the battery 10 (i.e., the current value flowing through the battery cell 1) from the monitoring unit 150, and calculates the amount of heat generated by the battery cell 1 from this current value. Next, in S2, the processor 161 calculates a first temperature, which is an estimated value of the temperature of the external terminal 4, based on the amount of heat generated in S1.

[0038] Next, in S3, the processor 161 obtains the temperature of the refrigerant from the sensor 125. Then, in S4, the processor 161 calculates a second temperature, which is an estimated value of the temperature of the cooling point cooled by the cooler 50 inside the housing case 90, based on the refrigerant temperature obtained in S3. In this embodiment, the cooling point cooled by the cooler 50 inside the housing case 90 is the bus bar 20. The memory 162 stores a first map in which the temperature of the refrigerant and the temperature of the cooling point estimated from the temperature of the refrigerant are associated, and the processor 161 calculates the second temperature based on the first map.

[0039] Next, in S5, the processor 161 obtains the current external temperature and external humidity of the vehicle 100 from the big data of the data center 500. Then, in S6, the processor 161 estimates the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90 based on the first temperature calculated in S2 and the external temperature and external humidity of the vehicle 100 obtained in S5. The memory 162 stores a second map which associates combinations of the temperature of the external terminal 4, the external temperature of the vehicle 100, and the external humidity of the vehicle 100 with the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90 estimated from those combinations, and the processor 161 estimates the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90 based on the second map.

[0040] In addition, in S5, the processor 161 may obtain the current external temperature of the vehicle 100 from the big data of the data center 500, and in S6, the processor 161 may estimate the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90 based on the first temperature calculated in S2 and the external temperature of the vehicle 100 obtained in S5. In this case, the memory 162 stores a third map that associates the combination of the temperature of the external terminal 4 and the external temperature of the vehicle 100 with the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90 estimated from that combination, and the processor 161 estimates the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90 based on the third map.

[0041] Alternatively, in S5, the processor 161 may obtain the current external humidity of the vehicle 100 from the big data of the data center 500, and in S6, the processor 161 may estimate the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90 based on the first temperature calculated in S2 and the external humidity of the vehicle 100 obtained in S5. In this case, the memory 162 stores a fourth map which associates the combination of the temperature of the external terminal 4 and the external humidity of the vehicle 100 with the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90 estimated from that combination, and the processor 161 estimates the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90 based on the fourth map.

[0042] Next, in S7, the processor 161 obtains the saturated water vapor amount corresponding to the second temperature calculated in S4 from the big data of the data center 500. Alternatively, a fifth map is stored in memory 162, which associates temperature with the saturated water vapor amount corresponding to that temperature, and the processor 161 may obtain the saturated water vapor amount corresponding to the second temperature calculated in S4 from the fifth map.

[0043] Next, in S8, the processor 161 determines whether the absolute humidity inside the containment case 90, estimated in S6, exceeds the saturated water vapor amount corresponding to the second temperature calculated in S4. The saturated water vapor amount corresponding to the second temperature, calculated in S4, is obtained in S7. If the absolute humidity inside the containment case 90 exceeds the saturated water vapor amount corresponding to the second temperature (YES in S8), the processor 161 proceeds to S9. If the absolute humidity inside the containment case 90 does not exceed the saturated water vapor amount corresponding to the second temperature (NO in S8), the processor 161 terminates the refrigerant temperature adjustment process.

[0044] In S9, the processor 161 determines the target temperature of the cooling points within the housing case 90 that are cooled by the cooler 50. Specifically, the processor 161 obtains from the big data of the data center 500 the temperature at which the amount of water vapor in the housing case 90 equals or greater than the absolute humidity estimated in S6 becomes the saturation water vapor amount, and determines this temperature as the target temperature of the cooling points.

[0045] Next, in S10, the processor 161 obtains the refrigerant temperature (refrigerant temperature) corresponding to the target temperature determined in S9 from the first map, and sets this refrigerant temperature as the target temperature for the refrigerant supplied to the cooler 50. Next, in S11, the processor 161 performs a refrigerant heating process so that the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the cooler 50 is equal to or greater than the target temperature determined in S10. Specifically, the heating process involves opening the switching valve Q and driving the heater 123 and pump 124. As a result of the heating process, the heated refrigerant is supplied to the cooler 50, causing the temperature of the cooling points within the housing case 90 that are cooled by the cooler 50 to rise. Alternatively, the heating process may also be performed by opening the switching valve Q and driving the cooling device 122, heater 123, and pump 124. After S11, the processor 161 terminates the refrigerant temperature adjustment process.

[0046] When the processor 161 performs the refrigerant temperature adjustment process shown in Figure 5, if the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90 exceeds the saturated water vapor amount corresponding to the second temperature, which is an estimated value of the temperature of the cooling point inside the housing case 90 that is cooled by the cooler 50, the ECU 160 raises the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the cooler 50 so that the temperature of the cooling point becomes equal to or above the temperature at which the saturated water vapor amount is equal to or greater than the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90.

[0047] Thus, in the vehicle 100 of this embodiment, if the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90 exceeds the amount of saturated water vapor corresponding to the second temperature, which is an estimated value of the temperature of the cooling point cooled by the cooler 50 inside the housing case 90, the ECU 160 increases the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the cooler 50. Therefore, according to the vehicle 100 of this embodiment, the temperature difference between the cooling point and the external terminal 4 inside the housing case 90 is reduced, and the occurrence of condensation at the cooling point is suppressed. More specifically, the higher the temperature, the greater the amount of saturated water vapor corresponding to that temperature. Therefore, by increasing the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the cooler 50, the temperature of the cooling point rises, and the amount of saturated water vapor at the cooling point increases. Therefore, according to the vehicle 100 of this embodiment, the occurrence of condensation at the cooling point can be suppressed.

[0048] Furthermore, in the vehicle 100 of this embodiment, the cooling point within the housing case 90 that is cooled by the cooler 50 is the bus bar 20 connected to the external terminal 4. Therefore, the points where condensation occurs are the bus bar 20 and the area around the bus bar 20. According to the vehicle 100 of this embodiment, the occurrence of condensation on the bus bar 20 (cooling point) and the area around the bus bar 20 can be suppressed, and thus short circuits between the multiple external terminals 4 located near the bus bar 20 can be suppressed.

[0049] Furthermore, in the vehicle 100 of this embodiment, the cooler 50 is provided on the lower surface 911a of the bottom plate 911 of the housing case 90. In other words, the cooler 50 is provided outside the housing case 90. Therefore, according to the vehicle 100 of this embodiment, even if the cooler 50 is damaged, it is possible to suppress the leakage of refrigerant within the housing case 90.

[0050] Furthermore, in the vehicle 100 of this embodiment, the heat conductive material 30 is placed between the upper surface 911b of the bottom plate 911 of the housing case 90 and the bus bar 20. Therefore, according to the vehicle 100 of this embodiment, heat exchange between the cooler 50 and the bus bar 20 is performed well.

[0051] Furthermore, in the vehicle 100 of this embodiment, if the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90 exceeds the saturated water vapor amount corresponding to the second temperature, which is an estimated value of the temperature of the cooling point cooled by the cooler 50 inside the housing case 90, the ECU 160 raises the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the cooler 50 so that the temperature of the cooling point becomes equal to or above the temperature at which the saturated water vapor amount is equal to or greater than the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90. Therefore, in the vehicle 100 of this embodiment, the saturated water vapor amount at the cooling point becomes equal to or greater than the absolute humidity inside the housing case 90, thus suppressing the occurrence of condensation at the cooling point.

[0052] Furthermore, in the vehicle 100 of this embodiment, the first temperature, which is an estimated value of the temperature of the external terminal 4, is calculated from the current value flowing through the battery cell 1, so there is no need to provide a sensor to detect the temperature of the external terminal 4 inside the housing case 90. Also, in the vehicle 100 of this embodiment, the second temperature, which is an estimated value of the temperature of the cooling points cooled by the cooler 50 inside the housing case 90, is calculated from the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the cooler 50, so there is no need to provide a sensor to detect the temperature of the cooling points inside the housing case 90. Therefore, according to the vehicle 100 of this embodiment, the space available for housing the battery 10 inside the housing case 90 is not reduced due to the refrigerant temperature adjustment process.

[0053] [Example 1] The cooler 50 may be provided above the housing case 90. More specifically, the cooler 50 may be provided on the upper surface 92b of the upper cover 92 of the housing case 90. In this case, the external terminal 4 is provided on the upper surface 3b of the cell case 3, and the bus bar 20 is connected to the external terminal 4 and positioned above the external terminal 4. The thermal conductive material 30 is positioned between the bus bar 20 and the lower surface 92a of the upper cover 92.

[0054] [Differentiation 2] The cooler 50 may be provided inside the housing case 90. For example, the cooler 50 may be provided on the upper surface 911b of the bottom plate 911 of the housing case 90. In this case, the external terminal 4 is provided on the lower surface 3a of the cell case 3. The busbar 20 is connected to the external terminal 4 and is located below the external terminal 4. The thermal conductive material 30 is placed between the busbar 20 and the cooler 50.

[0055] As another example, the cooler 50 may be provided on the lower surface 92a of the upper cover 92 of the housing case 90. In this case, the external terminals 4 are provided on the upper surface 3b of the cell case 3, and the busbars 20 are connected to the external terminals 4 and positioned above the external terminals 4. The thermal conductive material 30 is placed between the busbars 20 and the cooler 50.

[0056] [Difference 3] The cooling points within the housing case 90 that are cooled by the cooler 50 are not limited to the busbars 20. As another example, the cooling points within the housing case 90 that are cooled by the cooler 50 may also be the battery cells 1.

[0057] The embodiments and variations disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications are intended to be within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 Battery cell, 2 Electrode body, 3 Cell case, 3a, 92a, 911a Bottom surface, 3b, 92b, 911b Top surface, 4, 4a, 4b External terminals, 10 Battery, 20 Bus bar, 30 Thermal conductive material, 50 Cooler, 51 Flow path, 55 Side surface, 56a Inlet port, 56b Outlet port, 90 Housing case, 91 Lower case, 92 Upper cover, 100 Vehicle, 110 Battery pack, 120 Temperature control device, 121 Refrigerant pipe, 121a, 121b Piping, 122 Cooling device, 123 Heater, 124 Pump, 125 Sensor, 130 Drive unit, 150 Monitoring unit, 160 ECU, 161 Processor, 162 Memory, 163 Communication unit, 500 Data center, 911 Bottom plate, 912 Peripheral wall, P1 first location, P2 second location, Q switching valve, R arrow.

Claims

1. A battery cell having an external terminal, A housing case for housing the aforementioned battery cell, A cooler through which a refrigerant circulates and which cools the battery cells, A vehicle comprising a control device for controlling the temperature of the refrigerant, The control device is The first temperature, which is an estimated value of the temperature of the external terminal, is calculated. Within the aforementioned containment case, a second temperature is calculated, which is an estimated value of the temperature of the cooling point cooled by the cooler. Based on the first temperature and at least one of the temperature outside the vehicle and the humidity outside the vehicle, the absolute humidity inside the containment case is estimated. A vehicle that raises the temperature of the refrigerant when the absolute humidity exceeds the amount of saturated water vapor corresponding to the second temperature.

2. The vehicle further comprises a busbar connected to the external terminal, The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the cooling location is the bus bar.

3. The aforementioned storage case includes a bottom plate. The cooler is provided on the lower surface of the bottom plate, The vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising a heat conductive material disposed between the upper surface of the bottom plate and the bus bar.

4. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device raises the temperature of the refrigerant so that when the absolute humidity exceeds the saturated water vapor amount corresponding to the second temperature, the temperature of the cooling location becomes equal to or above the temperature at which the amount of water vapor equal to or greater than the absolute humidity becomes the saturated water vapor amount.

5. The control device calculates the amount of heat generated by the battery cell from the current value flowing through the battery cell, and calculates the first temperature based on the amount of heat generated. The aforementioned vehicle is A refrigerant pipe connected to the cooler and supplying the refrigerant to the cooler, The system further includes a sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the cooler, The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device calculates the second temperature based on the temperature of the refrigerant detected by the sensor.

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