Battery temperature controller

Abstract

Ensure good temperature control performance of the battery temperature controller. [Solution] The battery temperature controller comprises a temperature controller body in which a supply passage and a return passage for circulating a heat transfer medium are formed separated by a partition wall that is aligned in one direction, a first shell member including a first inlet recess, a first outlet recess, and a first partition, and a second shell member including a second inlet recess, a second outlet recess, and a second partition, one of the partitions having a hole, and the other partition having a projection that protrudes toward the other partition so as to be inserted into the hole, and the temperature controller body is joined to the first shell member and the second shell member with one end face in one direction of the partition wall abutting against the projection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a battery thermostat.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a battery thermostat including a tube (thermostat body) arranged to abut against the outer surfaces of a plurality of battery cells, for example, is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The tube of this battery thermostat includes a plurality of heat medium passages extending from one end side to the other end side, and the plurality of heat medium passages are divided into a first flow path assembly and a second flow path assembly. Further, a collection box formed by two shells fixed to each other is connected to one end of the tube. The two shells each have two recesses and a rib disposed between the two recesses, and are caulked at a plurality of locations on the outer peripheral portion and joined to each other by brazing. Thereby, the two shells define a collection chamber communicating with the first flow path assembly and a collection chamber communicating with the second flow path assembly, and the ribs of the two shells abut against each other to form a central wall partitioning the two collection chambers. Then, by supplying a heat medium from one of the two collection chambers to the first flow path assembly and returning the heat medium to the other of the two collection chambers via the second flow path assembly communicating with the first flow path assembly on the other end side of the tube, it becomes possible to adjust the temperatures of the plurality of battery cells.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the battery temperature controller described above, even if the two shells are joined together, a gap may form between the central wall formed by the contact of the ribs and the tube. In that case, the heat transfer medium flows through this gap, reducing the amount of heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium passage and decreasing the heat exchange efficiency, thus degrading the temperature control performance of the battery temperature controller.

[0005] The primary purpose of this disclosure is to ensure good temperature control performance of a battery temperature controller that adjusts the temperature of battery cells. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This disclosure employs the following means to achieve the primary objectives described above.

[0007] The battery temperature controller of this disclosure is A battery temperature controller for adjusting the temperature of multiple battery cells arranged in one direction, A temperature controller body extending in one direction so as to contact the outer surfaces of the plurality of battery cells, with a forward passage and a return passage for circulating a heat transfer medium formed inside, separated by a partition wall along that one direction, A first shell member is joined to the temperature controller body, including a first inlet recess, a first outlet recess, and a first partition separating the first inlet recess and the first outlet recess, such that the first inlet recess communicates with the forward passage and the first outlet recess communicates with the return passage. The temperature controller body and the second shell member are joined to the first shell member, including a second inlet recess, a second outlet recess, and a second partition separating the second inlet recess and the second outlet recess, wherein the second inlet recess faces the first inlet recess and communicates with the forward passage, the second outlet recess faces the first outlet recess and communicates with the return passage, and the second partition abuts against the first partition. A hole is formed in one of the first partition and the second partition. The other of the first and second partitions has a projection that protrudes toward the first partition so as to be inserted into the hole. The temperature controller body is joined to the first shell member and the second shell member with one end face of the partition wall portion in one direction abutting against the projection. This is the gist of it.

[0008] In the battery temperature controller of this disclosure, the first inlet-side recess of the first shell member and the second inlet-side recess of the second shell member face each other to define a first space communicating with the supply passage of the temperature controller body, and the first outlet-side recess of the first shell member and the second outlet-side recess of the second shell member face each other to define a second space communicating with the return passage of the temperature controller body. Furthermore, the first partition portion of the first shell member and the second partition portion of the second shell member abut each other to separate the first space and the second space. In addition, a hole is formed in one of the partition portions, and a projection is formed in the other partition portion so as to be inserted into the hole. The temperature controller body is joined to the first shell member and the second shell member with one end face in one direction of the partition wall separating the supply passage and the return passage abutting against the projection. This makes it possible to adjust the temperature of multiple battery cells by supplying a heat transfer medium from the first space to the supply passage and returning the heat transfer medium to the second space via the return passage. Furthermore, by having one end face of the partition wall abut against the projection, it is possible to prevent the formation of a gap between the first and second partition sections, which are in contact with each other, and the partition wall of the temperature controller body. As a result, the flow of the heat transfer medium through this gap reduces the amount of heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium passage, thereby preventing a decrease in heat exchange efficiency and ensuring good temperature control performance of the battery temperature controller. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the battery pack 10, including the battery temperature controller 1. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the main part of the battery temperature controller 1. [Figure 3]This is a perspective view of the main part of the battery temperature controller 1. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the first shell member 3. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the second shell member 4. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram showing how the temperature controller body 2 is combined with the second shell member 4. [Figure 7] This is a partial perspective view of the main part of the battery temperature controller 1. [Figure 8] This is a partial perspective view of the main part of the comparative example battery temperature controller 1B. [Figure 9] This is a top view of the main components of the comparative example battery temperature controller 1B. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery pack 10 including a battery temperature controller 1. Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the main parts of the battery temperature controller 1. The battery pack 10 is mounted on an electric vehicle, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and includes, in addition to a plurality of battery temperature controllers 1, a number of cylindrical battery cells 11, such as lithium-ion secondary batteries and nickel-metal hydride secondary batteries, and a battery case (not shown). In this embodiment, each battery cell 11 has an axial length longer than its outer diameter. Note that the battery cell 11 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may also be rectangular or other shapes.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the numerous battery cells 11 are arranged along at least one direction such that their respective axes A extend parallel to each other, and in this embodiment, they are arranged along the x-axis direction in Figure 1 and the y-axis direction perpendicular to the x-axis direction. The multiple battery cells 11 arranged along the x-axis direction (one direction) in Figure 1 are connected in series or parallel to each other via busbars (not shown) to form a cell unit 110, and the multiple cell units 110 are connected in series or parallel to each other via busbars (not shown). The battery temperature controllers 1 are also positioned on both sides in the y-axis direction of the cell unit 110, which includes the multiple battery cells 11 arranged along the x-axis direction. That is, in the battery pack 10, the multiple battery temperature controllers 1 are arranged at intervals in the y-axis direction in Figure 1 relative to the numerous battery cells 11.

[0012] The battery temperature controller 1 includes a plate-shaped temperature controller body 2 having a corrugated cross-sectional shape with a uniform thickness, a first shell member 3 joined to the temperature controller body 2, and a second shell member 4 joined to the temperature controller body 2 and the first shell member 3. The temperature controller body 2 is an extruded product formed by extrusion molding (hollow extrusion molding) of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy using a container, die, ram, mandrel, etc. (not shown), and has a height that is approximately the same as the axial length of the battery cell 11 (slightly shorter than the axial length of the battery cell 11). Furthermore, an insulating layer (not shown) made of an insulating material such as a thermal interface material is applied to the surface of the temperature controller body 2.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the temperature controller body 2 is formed such that the lower surface (surface of the insulating layer) in the figure abuts against the outer circumferential surfaces of multiple battery cells 11 constituting one cell unit 110, and the upper surface (surface of the insulating layer) in the figure abuts against the outer circumferential surfaces of multiple battery cells 11 constituting an upper cell unit 110, which is positioned offset in the x-axis direction from the lower cell unit 110. In other words, the radii of curvature of the curved surfaces defining the upper and lower surfaces (surface of the insulating layer) of the temperature controller body 2 in Figure 1 roughly coincide with the radii of curvature of the outer circumferential surfaces of the battery cells 11.

[0014] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the thermostat body 2 includes a plurality of heat medium passages 20. The plurality of heat medium passages 20 each open at a pair of rectangular end faces (not shown) that are not formed in a wave shape, and extend parallel to each other in the x-axis direction (one direction, the extending direction) along the side surface of the thermostat body 2 that extends in a wave shape from one of the pair of end faces to the other. In the present embodiment, of the plurality of heat medium passages 20, the upper half in FIG. 3 is the forward passage 21, and the lower half in FIG. 3 is the return passage 22. Note that the cross-sectional shape of each heat medium passage 20 may be a long hole shape, a circular shape, or a polygonal shape. The plurality of heat medium passages 20 are partitioned by partition portions that extend in the x-axis direction (one direction). The central partition portion that partitions the upper forward passage 21 and the lower return passage 22 is referred to as the partition portion 23. Also, of the both end faces in the x-axis direction of the partition portion 23, the end faces on the side of the first and second shell members 3 and 4 are referred to as one end face 23a (see FIG. 6). Note that the thermostat body 2 only needs to include one or more forward passages 21, one or more return passages 22, and the partition portion 23.

[0015] The first shell member 3 is manufactured by pressing, for example, a flat plate made of an aluminum alloy. As shown in FIG. 4, the first shell member 3 includes a first inlet side recess 31, a first outlet side recess 32, and a first partition portion 33. The first inlet side recess 31, the first outlet side recess 32, and the first partition portion 33 are defined by a series of first wall portions 34 formed in the first shell member 3 so as to extend in a substantially M shape. The first inlet side recess 31 and the first outlet side recess 32 communicate with each other on one side of the first shell member 3 (the side of the thermostat body 2). Further, the first shell member 3 is formed with a first inlet hole (circular hole) 35 that communicates with the first inlet side recess 31 and a first outlet hole (circular hole) 37 that communicates with the first outlet side recess 32. The first wall portion 34 is formed so as to curve in an M shape along the first inlet hole 35 and the first outlet hole 37. Also, the first partition portion 33 includes a flat surface 33a flush with the surface of the outer peripheral portion of the first shell member 3, and an R-shaped corner 33c that is continuous with the flat surface 33a on one side of the first shell member 3 (the side of the thermostat body 2). Further, an elongated hole portion 33h is formed in the first partition portion 33. The first partition portion 33 includes a pair of flat surfaces 33a and a pair of corners 33c, respectively, sandwiching the hole portion 33h in the z-axis direction.

[0016] The second shell member 4 is manufactured by pressing, for example, a flat plate made of an aluminum alloy so as to have a structure substantially symmetric to the first shell member 3. As shown in FIG. 5, it includes a second inlet-side recess 41, a second outlet-side recess 42, and a second partition portion 43. The second inlet-side recess 41, the second outlet-side recess 42, and the second partition portion 43 are defined by a series of second wall portions 44 formed in the second shell member 4 so as to extend in a substantially M shape. The second inlet-side recess 41 and the second outlet-side recess 42 communicate with each other on one side of the second shell member 4 (the side of the thermostat body 2). Further, in the second shell member 4, a second inlet hole (circular hole) 46 communicating with the second inlet-side recess 41 and a second outlet hole (circular hole) 48 communicating with the second outlet-side recess 42 are formed. The second wall portion 44 is formed so as to curve in an M shape along the second inlet hole 46 and the second outlet hole 48. Further, the second partition portion 43 includes a flat surface 43a flush with the surface of the outer peripheral portion of the second shell member 4 and an R-shaped corner 43c continuous with the second shell member 4 on one side (the side of the thermostat body 2) of the flat surface 43a. In the second partition portion 43, an elongated hole portion 43h is formed in the x-axis direction in the same manner as the hole portion 33h of the first partition portion 33, and an elongated substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped protruding piece (claw) 49 protruding from the edge on the side of the thermostat body 2 in the hole portion 43h is formed. The second partition portion 43 includes a pair of the flat surface 43a and the corner 43c, respectively, sandwiching the hole portion 43h in the z-axis direction. Further, the protruding piece 49 is formed such that its base end is at the same position as the end on one side (the side of the thermostat body 2) of the second shell member 4 in the central portion of the second wall portion 44 in the x-axis direction.

[0017] Since the first and second shell members 3 and 4 are manufactured by pressing as described above, the R-shaped corners 33c and 43c are included in the first and second partition portions 33 and 43. Further, in the present embodiment, the hole portion 33h of the first partition portion 33 and the hole portion 43h of the second partition portion 43 are formed by punching using the same mold. Each of the hole portions 33h and 43h is punched so that a protruding piece is formed. In the hole portion 33h, the protruding piece is removed, and in the hole portion 43h, the protruding piece is left as the protruding piece 49. Thereby, it becomes possible to share the punching mold.

[0018] Next, the assembly of the battery temperature controller 1 configured in this way will be described. First, the temperature controller body 2, the first shell member 3, and the second shell member 4 are prepared. The second shell member 4 has a projection 49 that protrudes approximately perpendicularly to the flat surface of the second partition 43 (the bottom surface of the second inlet side recess 41 and the second outlet side recess 42) (see Figure 5). In this state, the surface of the projection 49 on one side of the second shell member 4 (the side facing the temperature controller body 2) is called the abutment surface 49a, and the two sides of the abutment surface 49a are called the sides 49s. Next, the second shell member 4 is combined with the temperature controller body 2. At this time, as shown in Figure 6, one end surface 23a of the partition wall 23 of the temperature controller body 2 abuts against the abutment surface 49a of the projection 49. In this embodiment, the temperature controller body 2 and the second shell member 4 are combined before joining the first shell member 3 and the second shell member 4, so that one end face 23a of the partition wall 23 can be reliably abutted against the abutment surface 49a of the projection 49. The temperature controller body 2 and the second shell member 4 are joined using a brazing material (not shown). The abutment surface 49a of the projection 49 and one end face 23a of the partition wall 23 are joined using a brazing material (not shown). For example, the projection 49 is assumed to have brazing material applied to its abutment surface 49a beforehand.

[0019] Next, the first shell member 3 is assembled with the second shell member 4 and the temperature controller body 2. At this time, the first shell member 3 is assembled with the second shell member 4 so that the projection 49 is inserted into the hole 33h of the first partition 33. The first and second shell members 3 and 4 are assembled such that the first and second wall portions 34 and 44 face each other, the first inlet-side recess 31 and the second inlet-side recess 41 face each other to define a first space, and the first outlet-side recess 32 and the second outlet-side recess 42 face each other to define a second space. The first shell member 3, the second shell member 4, and the temperature controller body 2 are joined using a brazing material (not shown). That is, the temperature controller body 2, the first and second shell members 3 and 4 are joined together by brazing. When the first and second shell members 3 and 4 are joined, the flat surface 33a of the first partition 33 and the flat surface 43a of the second partition 43 come into contact, and a partition wall is formed by the first and second partitions 33 and 43 to separate the first and second spaces. The first shell member 3 has a first inlet-side recess 31 that communicates with the outbound passage 21 and a first outlet-side recess 32 that communicates with the return passage 22. The second shell member 4 has a second inlet-side recess 41 that is opposite the first inlet-side recess 31 and communicates with the outbound passage 21, and a second outlet-side recess 42 that is opposite the first outlet-side recess 32 and communicates with the return passage 22, and the first and second partitions 33 and 43 form the partition wall described above.

[0020] Furthermore, the projection 49 of the second shell member 4 is inserted into the hole 33h of the first shell member 3, so that the holes 33h and 43h communicate with each other, and the tip of the projection 49 is exposed outward from the hole 33h. The tip of the projection 49 is bent toward one side of the first shell member 3 (towards the temperature controller body 2) so as to abut against the outer surface of the first shell member 3. This forms a crimped portion C that crimps the first and second partition portions 33 and 43 together, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 7. The tip of the projection 49 and the outer surface of the first shell member 3 are joined using a brazing material (not shown). For example, the projection 49 is assumed to have brazing material applied in advance to the contact point with the outer surface of the first shell member 3.

[0021] Furthermore, an end cover (not shown) is joined to the other end of the temperature controller body 2 without any gaps by brazing or the like. This end cover is formed to connect the multiple heat transfer medium passages 20 of the temperature controller body 2 to each other, that is, the upper half supply passage 21 and the lower half return passage 22. In addition, the first inlet pipe 5 is connected to the first inlet hole 35 of the first shell member 3, and the first outlet pipe 7 is connected to the first outlet hole 37. Furthermore, the second inlet pipe 6 is connected to the second inlet hole 46 of the second shell member 4, and the second outlet pipe 8 is connected to the second outlet hole 48.

[0022] In the battery pack 10 of this embodiment, multiple battery temperature controllers 1 arranged in the y-axis direction in Figure 1 are connected to each other via first and second inlet pipes 5, 6 and first and second outlet pipes 7, 8. That is, the first inlet-side recess 31 of the first shell member 3 of each battery temperature controller 1 communicates with the first inlet-side recess 31 of the first shell member 3 of an adjacent battery temperature controller 1 in the y-axis direction in Figure 1 via the first inlet pipe 5. Also, the second inlet-side recess 41 of the second shell member 4 of each battery temperature controller 1 communicates with the second inlet-side recess 41 of the second shell member 4 of an adjacent battery temperature controller 1 in the y-axis direction in Figure 1 via the second inlet pipe 6. Furthermore, the first outlet-side recess 32 of the first shell member 3 of each battery temperature controller 1 communicates with the first outlet-side recess 32 of the first shell member 3 of an adjacent battery temperature controller 1 in the y-axis direction in Figure 1 via the first outlet pipe 7. Furthermore, the second outlet-side recess 42 of the second shell member 4 of each battery temperature controller 1 communicates with the second outlet-side recess 42 of the second shell member 4 of adjacent battery temperature controllers 1 in the y-axis direction in Figure 1 via the second outlet pipe 8.

[0023] Furthermore, a heat transfer medium (refrigerant) is supplied to the first inlet pipes 5 located at both ends of the battery pack 10 in the y-axis direction, for example, by a pump (not shown). This supplies the heat transfer medium from the pump to the multiple supply passages 21 of each temperature controller body 2 via the first and second inlet side recesses 31, 41, i.e., the first space, of each battery temperature controller 1. The heat transfer medium supplied to the multiple supply passages 21 flows into the multiple return passages 22 at the end plates, and also flows into the radiator (cooler) via the first and second outlet side recesses 32, 42, i.e., the second space, of each battery temperature controller 1, and the first outlet pipes 7 located at both ends of the battery pack 10 in the y-axis direction, for example. After being cooled in the radiator, the heat transfer medium is supplied again to each battery temperature controller 1 by the pump. This makes it possible to properly adjust the temperature of each battery cell 11 by exchanging heat between the heat transfer medium flowing through each heat transfer medium passage 20 (supply passage 21 and return passage 22) of each temperature controller body 2, which acts as a heat exchanger, and the corresponding battery cell 11.

[0024] Here, Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the main part of the battery temperature controller 1, showing the lower part of the battery temperature controller 1 cut along line AA in Figure 3, with the second outlet pipe 8 omitted. Also, in the enlarged view of Figure 7, the brazing location B is shown with a dotted line. As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, the projection 49 (butt surface 49a) is abutted against the partition wall 23 (one end surface 23a) and joined together without gaps by brazing. On the other hand, Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the main part of the comparative example battery temperature controller 1B, and is an enlarged partial perspective view obtained by cutting the battery temperature controller 1B in the same way as in Figure 7. Figure 9 is a top view of the main part of the comparative example battery temperature controller 1B, and is a top view of the part shown in Figure 8 viewed from above. Unlike the battery temperature controller 1, the battery temperature controller 1B does not have holes 33h, 43h in the first and second partitions 33, 43, and the second partition 43 does not have a projection 49. Therefore, the first partition 33B of the battery temperature controller 1B includes one larger flat surface 33a and an R-shaped corner 33c that is continuous with it, rather than a pair of flat surfaces 33a. Similarly, the second partition 43B of the battery temperature controller 1B includes one larger flat surface 43a and an R-shaped corner 43c that is continuous with it, rather than a pair of flat surfaces 43a. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the battery temperature controller 1.

[0025] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, a gap G (dotted circle) is formed between the corners 33c, 43c of the first and second partitions 33B, 43B. In the battery temperature controller 1B, which does not have a projection 49, the gap G remains open in the z-axis direction, allowing the heat transfer medium to flow through the gap G in the z-axis direction. As a result, some of the heat transfer medium supplied to the first space may flow through the gap G and into the second space instead of flowing into the supply passage 21. In other words, the heat transfer medium supplied to the first space and the heat transfer medium returned to the second space may mix. As a result, in the battery temperature controller 1B, the amount of heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium passage 20 decreases, reducing the heat exchange efficiency, making it difficult to properly adjust the temperature of each battery cell 11.

[0026] On the other hand, a similar gap G is also formed between the corners 33c and 43c in this embodiment, forming two gaps, an upper gap G and a lower gap G, with the projection 49 in between. However, the projection 49 is formed so that it protrudes vertically (see Figure 5) and its side surface 49s faces the corner 43c. In Figure 5, the upper side surface 49s of the projection 49 faces the upper corner 43c, and similarly, the lower side surface 49s faces the lower corner 43c. Therefore, the projection 49 can shield the upper gap G from below with its upper side surface 49s, and shield the lower gap G from above with its lower side surface 49s. In other words, it is possible to prevent the flow of the heat transfer medium in the z-axis direction through the gap G. Furthermore, the projection 49 prevents a gap from forming between the partition wall formed by the first and second partition portions 33 and 43 and the partition wall portion 23 by abutting the abutment surface 49a of the projection 49 against one end surface 23a of the partition wall portion 23. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to reliably prevent the heat transfer medium supplied to the first space from flowing through the gap G and the gap between the partition wall and the partition wall portion 23 into the second space. This allows the heat transfer medium to flow properly through the heat transfer medium passage 20 for heat exchange, thereby enabling proper temperature control of each battery cell 11.

[0027] In the battery temperature controller 1 of this embodiment described above, the first inlet-side recess 31 of the first shell member 3 and the second inlet-side recess 41 of the second shell member 4 face each other to define a first space communicating with the supply passage 21 of the temperature controller body 2, and the first outlet-side recess 32 of the first shell member 3 and the second outlet-side recess 42 of the second shell member 4 face each other to define a second space communicating with the return passage 22 of the temperature controller body 2. Furthermore, the first partition portion 33 of the first shell member 3 and the second partition portion 43 of the second shell member 4 abut each other to separate the first space and the second space. In addition, a hole 33h is formed in the first partition portion 33 (one partition portion), and a projection 49 is formed in the second partition portion 43 (the other partition portion) so as to be inserted into the hole 33h. The temperature controller body 2 is joined to the first shell member 3 and the second shell member 4 with one end surface 23a of the partition wall 23 separating the supply passage 21 and the return passage 22 abutting against the projection 49.

[0028] This makes it possible to adjust the temperature of multiple battery cells 11 by supplying a heat transfer medium from the first space to the supply passage 21 and returning the heat transfer medium to the second space via the return passage 22. In addition, by having one end surface 23a of the partition wall 23 abut against the projection 49, it is possible to prevent the formation of a gap between the first partition 33 and the second partition 43, which are in contact with each other, and the partition wall 23 of the temperature controller body 2. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium passage and a decrease in heat exchange efficiency due to the heat transfer medium flowing through the gap, thereby ensuring good temperature control performance of the battery temperature controller 1.

[0029] Furthermore, the projection 49 is bent toward the temperature controller body 2 so that its tip penetrates the hole 33h and is exposed outward from the first partition 33, and also abuts against the outer surface of the first shell member 3, thereby forming a crimping portion C that crimps the first and second partitions 33 and 43 together. This crimping portion C ensures that the first and second partitions 33 and 43 are tightly attached to each other, preventing the formation of gaps between the first and second partitions 33 and 43. As a result, the effect of properly circulating the heat transfer medium through the heat transfer medium passage 20 can be enhanced.

[0030] Furthermore, the projection 49 has abutting surface 49a which is formed as a flat surface larger than the partition wall 23 in the direction (z-axis direction) in which the partition wall 23 separates the forward passage 21 and the return passage 22. This ensures that one end face 23a of the partition wall 23 can be reliably abutted against the abutting surface 49a of the projection 49. For this reason, even if a misalignment occurs in the z-axis direction between the temperature controller body 2 and the first shell member 3 and the second shell member 4, the state in which one end face 23a abuts against the abutting surface 49a can be maintained.

[0031] Furthermore, the first shell member 3 and the second shell member 4 are formed by press working. The first partition portion 33 includes a pair of flat surfaces 33a and R-shaped corners 33c that are continuous with the flat surface 33a on the temperature controller body 2 side, with the hole 33h in between. The second partition portion 43 includes a pair of flat surfaces 43a that abut against the flat surface 33a of the first partition portion 33, and R-shaped corners 43c that are continuous with the flat surface 43a on the temperature controller body 2 side and face the corners 33c of the first partition portion 33. In addition, the projection 49 is formed such that the side surfaces 49s on both sides of the abutment surface 49a shield the gap G between the corners 33c of the first partition portion 33 and the corners 43c of the second partition portion 43. As a result, the projection 49 prevents the heat transfer medium from flowing through the gap G in the z-axis direction, thereby enhancing the effect of properly circulating the heat transfer medium through the heat transfer medium passage 20. Furthermore, the projection 49 prevents the formation of gaps between the first partition portion 33 and the second partition portion 43 and the partition wall portion 23, and can also shield the gap G. In other words, a configuration that prevents the heat transfer medium from flowing through each gap and properly circulates the heat transfer medium through the heat transfer medium passage 20 can be achieved by forming a single projection 49 without requiring a complex configuration.

[0032] In this embodiment, rounded corners 33c and 43c are formed on the first and second partitions 33 and 43 by press working, but the invention is not limited to those formed by press working, and other shapes of corners, such as tapered corners, may also be formed. Furthermore, the projection 49 is not limited to shielding the gap G with its side surface 49s, but may also be configured to allow the flow of the heat transfer medium from the gap G to the temperature controller body 2, while preventing the downward flow of the heat transfer medium (flow from the first space to the second space) by abutting against the partition wall 23 (one end surface 23a).

[0033] In this embodiment, the projection 49 has abutting surface 49a which is a flat surface larger than one end surface 23a in the z-axis direction, but it is not limited to this, and it may be a flat surface equal to or smaller than one end surface 23a, or it is not limited to a flat surface as long as one end surface 23a can abut against it.

[0034] In this embodiment, the projection 49 is bent at its tip toward the temperature controller body 2 to form a crimped portion C, but it is not limited to this, and the tip may not be bent, thus not forming a crimped portion C. In this case, the projection 49 should be formed so as to fit within the hole 33h. Also, although the holes 33h and 43h are made to be approximately the same size, it is not limited to this, and the hole 33h may be any size into which the projection 49 can be inserted.

[0035] In this embodiment, the temperature controller body 2 and the second shell member 4 were assembled before joining the first and second shell members 3 and 4. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the temperature controller body 2 may be assembled after joining the first and second shell members 3 and 4. However, it is preferable to assemble it as in this embodiment in order to confirm that the partition wall portion 23 is securely abutting against the projection 49.

[0036] This specification also discloses a technical concept in which the "battery temperature controller described in claim 1 or 2" in the original claim 4 has been changed to "battery temperature controller described in any one of claims 1 to 3".

[0037] Although the embodiments for implementing this disclosure have been described above, this disclosure is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and can of course be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of this disclosure. [Industrial applicability]

[0038] The invention disclosed herein can be used in industries such as the manufacturing of battery temperature controllers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1,1B Battery temperature controller, 2 Temperature controller body, 21 Supply passage, 22 Return passage, 23 Partition wall, 23a One end face, 3 First shell member, 31 First inlet recess, 32 First outlet recess, 33,33B First partition, 33a Flat surface, 33c Corner, 33h Hole, 4 Second shell member, 41 Second inlet recess, 42 Second outlet recess, 43,43B Second partition, 43a Flat surface, 43c Corner, 43h Hole, 49 Projection, 49a Abutment surface, 49s Side, 11 Battery cell, A Axis, G Gap.

Claims

1. A battery temperature controller for adjusting the temperature of multiple battery cells arranged in one direction, A temperature controller body extending in one direction so as to contact the outer surfaces of the plurality of battery cells, with a forward passage and a return passage for circulating a heat transfer medium formed inside, separated by a partition wall along that one direction, A first shell member is joined to the temperature controller body, including a first inlet recess, a first outlet recess, and a first partition separating the first inlet recess and the first outlet recess, such that the first inlet recess communicates with the forward passage and the first outlet recess communicates with the return passage. The temperature controller body and the first shell member are joined to the first shell member, including a second inlet recess, a second outlet recess, and a second partition separating the second inlet recess and the second outlet recess, wherein the second inlet recess faces the first inlet recess and communicates with the forward passage, the second outlet recess faces the first outlet recess and communicates with the return passage, and the second partition abuts against the first partition. A hole is formed in one of the first partition and the second partition. The other of the first and second partitions has a projection that protrudes toward the first partition so as to be inserted into the hole. The temperature controller body is joined to the first shell member and the second shell member with one end face of the partition wall portion in one direction abutting against the projection. Battery temperature controller.

2. The projection has its tip end penetrating the hole and exposed outward from one of the partitions, and is bent toward the temperature controller body so as to abut against the outer surface of the shell member including one of the partitions among the first shell member and the second shell member. The battery temperature controller according to claim 1.

3. The projection has a fork surface against which the one end surface of the partition wall portion abuts, and the fork surface is formed as a flat surface larger than the one end surface in the direction in which the partition wall portion separates the forward passage and the return passage. A battery temperature controller according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first shell member and the second shell member are formed by press working. The aforementioned partition portion includes a flat surface and a pair of R-shaped corners that are continuous with the flat surface on the temperature controller body side, with the hole in between. The other partition portion includes a pair of flat surfaces that abut the flat surface of the first partition portion, and a pair of R-shaped corners that are continuous with the flat surface on the temperature controller body side and face the corner of the first partition portion. The projection is formed such that both sides of the abutment surface against which the one end face of the partition wall portion abuts are shielded from the gap between the corner of one partition portion and the corner of the other partition portion. A battery temperature controller according to claim 1 or 2.

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