Battery pack

Abstract

This design suppresses the impact of fluid leakage from ports connected to the fluid pathways used for heat exchange in the battery module on the battery module itself. [Solution] The battery pack 1 comprises a battery module 10, a tray 21 that houses the battery module 10, a protruding plate 22 that protrudes from the tray 21, and a lower plate 23 that is positioned at least partially at a distance from the tray 21 and the protruding plate 22. The tray 21, the protruding plate 22, and the lower plate 23 define a flow path 25 by the gaps between the portions of the tray 21 and the lower plate 23 that are positioned at a distance from each other, and by the gaps between the portions of the protruding plate 22 and the lower plate 23 that are positioned at a distance from each other. The protruding plate 22 has a port 221 that communicates with the flow path 25.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various battery packs have been developed. A battery pack may include a battery module and a flow path for flowing a fluid used for heat exchange of the battery module.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a battery pack. The bottom of the housing of the battery pack has a cooling plate. The cooling plate has a lower plate and an upper plate, and a flow path layer is formed between the lower plate and the upper plate. An inlet and an outlet are provided on the upper plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] A battery pack may have a port communicating with a flow path for flowing a fluid used for heat exchange of the battery module. The port may be formed in a container that houses the battery module. However, when the port is formed in the container, the fluid leaked from the port may easily enter the accommodation space of the container that houses the battery module of the container. When the fluid leaked from the port enters the accommodation space of the container, it may be difficult to suppress the influence of the fluid on the battery module.

[0006] One example of the object of the present invention is to suppress the impact on the battery module of fluid leaking from a port communicating with a flow path for the fluid used for heat exchange in the battery module. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description herein. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is as follows: 1. Battery module and, A housing for the aforementioned battery module, A protruding body extending from the aforementioned housing, A structure positioned at least partially at a distance from the housing and the protruding body, Equipped with, The housing, the protruding body, and the structure define a flow path through the gaps between the portions of the housing and the structure that are spaced apart from each other, and through the gaps between the portions of the protruding body and the structure that are spaced apart from each other. The protruding body is a battery pack having a port that communicates with the flow path. 2. The battery pack according to 1, wherein the housing comprises a first portion located between the battery module and the flow path, and a second portion bent from the first portion. 3. The battery pack according to 1. or 2., wherein the housing and the protrusions are joined to each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the impact of fluid leaking from a port connected to a flow path for the fluid used for heat exchange in the battery module on the battery module. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment in which the upper plate has been removed. [Figure 2]This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1 with the upper plate attached. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted where appropriate.

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the battery pack 1 according to an embodiment with the upper plate 24 removed. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1 with the upper plate 24 attached.

[0012] Each figure shows the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively, for illustrative purposes. In Figure 2, the white circle with a black dot indicating the Y axis indicates that the Y-axis arrow is pointing towards the viewer. Hereafter, the Z direction is described as being parallel to the vertical direction, the X direction as one of the horizontal directions perpendicular to the Z direction, and the Y direction as a horizontal direction perpendicular to both the Z and X directions.Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the side indicated by the Z-axis arrow is described as the upper side in the vertical direction.Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the +X side refers to the side indicated by the X-axis arrow, and the -X side refers to the opposite side of the side indicated by the X-axis arrow.Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the +Y side refers to the side indicated by the Y-axis arrow, and the -Y side refers to the opposite side of the side indicated by the Y-axis arrow. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the +Z side refers to the side indicated by the Z-axis arrow, and the -Z side refers to the opposite side of the side indicated by the Z-axis arrow. The relationships between the X, Y, Z, vertical, and horizontal directions are not limited to those described above and may differ depending on the arrangement of the battery pack 1. For example, depending on the arrangement of the battery pack 1, the X or Y direction may be parallel to the vertical direction.

[0013] Hereafter, the face located on the +Z side of an element may be referred to as the +Z face of that element, and the face located on the -Z side of an element may be referred to as the -Z face of that element.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the battery pack 1 comprises multiple battery modules 10, a housing 20, an inlet 30, and an outlet 40.

[0015] In the example shown in Figure 1, two battery modules 10 are arranged in the X direction. The number and arrangement of the battery modules 10 are not limited to the example shown in Figure 1. Each battery module 10 has a plurality of battery cells (not shown) and a housing (not shown) that houses the plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells are stacked, for example, in a direction perpendicular to the Z direction. In Figure 1, the housing of each battery module 10 is schematically shown in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 20 has a tray 21, a protruding plate 22, a lower plate 23, and an upper plate 24. In this embodiment, the tray 21, the protruding plate 22, the lower plate 23, and the upper plate 24 each have a steel plate and at least one of aluminum and an aluminum alloy plated on the surface of the steel plate. The steel plate mainly contains iron. By using a steel plate, the strength of the housing 20 can be improved at a relatively low cost. By plating the steel plate with at least one of aluminum and an aluminum alloy, the corrosion resistance of the steel plate can be improved.

[0017] The tray 21 is a container with an open +Z side for accommodating a plurality of battery modules 10. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the accommodation space of the tray 21 refers to the space for accommodating the plurality of battery modules 10 of the tray 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the tray 21 includes a bottom plate 211, side plates 212, and side peripheral plates 213. The bottom plate 211 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the Z direction. The plurality of battery modules 10 are located on the +Z plane side of the bottom plate 211. The side plates 212 are bent from the outer edge around the Z direction of the bottom plate 211 to the +Z side. The side plates 212 surround the plurality of battery modules 10 around the Z direction. The side peripheral plates 213 are bent from the +Z-side ends of the side plates 212 to the outside of the accommodation space of the tray 21.

[0018] In an embodiment, the bottom plate 211, the side plates 212, and the side peripheral plates 213 are integrally formed by, for example, pressing, drawing, or bending. If the bottom plate 211, the side plates 212, and the side peripheral plates 213 are joined to each other by means such as welding or adhesion, for example, liquids such as water may easily enter the accommodation space of the tray 21 via the joints between the bottom plate 211 and the side plates 212 and the joints between the side plates 212 and the side peripheral plates 213. In the embodiment, the bottom plate 211, the side plates 212, and the side peripheral plates 213 can be formed without joints. Therefore, it is easier to seal the accommodation space of the tray 21 watertightly as compared with the case where there are joints between the bottom plate 211 and the side plates 212 and joints between the side plates 212 and the side peripheral plates 213. The structure of the tray 21 is not limited to the example according to the embodiment. For example, the bottom plate 211, the side plates 212, and the side peripheral plates 213 may be joined to each other by means such as welding or adhesion.

[0019] The protruding plate 22 is a protruding body that protrudes from the tray 21. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the protruding plate 22 protrudes in the +X direction from the +X side end of the -Z plane of the bottom plate 211. The portions of the -Z plane of the bottom plate 211 and the +Z plane of the protruding plate 22 that overlap each other in the Z direction are joined to each other by means such as welding or an adhesive. Therefore, it is possible to seal watertightly between the portions of the -Z plane of the bottom plate 211 and the +Z plane of the protruding plate 22 that overlap each other in the Z direction. Further, in the embodiment, an assembly of the tray 21 and the protruding plate 22 can be formed by retrofitting the protruding plate 22 to the existing tray 21. If the tray 21 and the protruding plate 22 are integrally molded, tools such as a mold for integrally molding the tray 21 and the protruding plate 22 are required. However, in the embodiment, tools such as a mold for forming the existing tray 21 can continue to be used. Therefore, an assembly of the tray 21 and the protruding plate 22 can be formed as compared with the case of using tools such as a mold for integrally molding the tray 21 and the protruding plate 22. The assembly of the tray 21 and the protruding plate 22 is not limited to the example according to the embodiment. For example, the tray 21 and the protruding plate 22 may be integrally molded.

[0020] The lower plate 23 is a structure disposed on the -Z side of the tray 21 and the protruding plate 22 at least partially spaced apart from the tray 21 and the protruding plate 22. The lower plate 23 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the Z direction. When viewed in the Z direction, the lower plate 23 overlaps substantially the entire tray 21 and the protruding plate 22 in the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the portions of the -Z plane of the +X side end of the protruding plate 22 and the +Z plane of the +X side end of the lower plate 23 that overlap each other in the Z direction are joined to each other by means such as welding or an adhesive. Therefore, it is possible to seal watertightly between the portions of the -Z plane of the +X side end of the protruding plate 22 and the +Z plane of the +X side end of the lower plate 23 that overlap each other in the Z direction.

[0021] The tray 21, protruding plate 22, and lower plate 23 are structured such that a flow path 25 is defined by the gaps between the tray 21 and lower plate 23 that are spaced apart from each other, and the gaps between the protruding plate 22 and lower plate 23 that are spaced apart from each other. The flow path 25 is configured to carry a fluid used for heat exchange between the multiple battery modules 10. The multiple battery modules 10 and the flow path 25 overlap each other at least partially in the Z direction. Therefore, heat exchange is possible between the multiple battery modules 10 and the fluid flowing in the flow path 25. In this embodiment, the fluid flowing in the flow path 25 is a refrigerant such as water for cooling the multiple battery modules 10. The fluid flowing in the flow path 25 is not limited to a refrigerant. For example, the flow path 25 may be a heat transfer medium such as hot water to raise the temperature of the multiple battery modules 10 to a certain temperature or higher when the battery pack 1 is placed at a relatively low temperature.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the upper plate 24 includes an upper case 241 and an upper peripheral plate 242. The upper case 241 covers the opening on the +Z side of the tray 21. As shown in Figure 2, the upper case 241 includes a perimeter 241a that is folded outwards from the storage space of the tray 21. The portions of the perimeter 241a of the upper case 241 and the +Z surface of the upper peripheral plate 242 that overlap each other in the Z direction are joined to each other by means of welding, adhesive, etc. The portions of the perimeter 241a of the upper case 241 and the +Z surface of the upper peripheral plate 242 that overlap each other in the Z direction can be sealed watertight. As shown in Figure 2, the side peripheral plate 213 and the upper peripheral plate 242 overlap each other at least partially in the Z direction with the side seal 26 positioned between the +Z surface of the side peripheral plate 213 and the -Z surface of the upper peripheral plate 242. The side seal 26 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The side peripheral plate 213 and the upper peripheral plate 242 are fastened together by fasteners (not shown), such as bolts and nuts, so that the side seal 26 is compressed in the Z direction by the side peripheral plate 213 and the upper peripheral plate 242. Thus, the space between the +Z plane of the side peripheral plate 213 and the -Z plane of the upper peripheral plate 242 can be sealed watertight.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the inlet 30 and outlet 40 are attached to the protruding plate 22. The inlet 30 is configured to allow fluid to enter the flow path 25. The outlet 40 is configured to allow fluid to exit the flow path 25. Therefore, by introducing fluid from the inlet 30 and exiting the outlet 40, fluid can be flowed through the flow path 25 from the inlet 30 to the outlet 40. For example, a tank (not shown) for supplying fluid and the inlet 30 are fluid-connected to each other via a flow path such as a hose, and the tank and the outlet 40 are fluid-connected to each other via a flow path such as a hose, allowing fluid to flow through the flow path 25. In the example shown in Figure 1, the inlet 30 and outlet 40 are aligned in the Y direction. The positions of the inlet 30 and outlet 40 are not particularly limited, as long as fluid can be flowed through the flow path 25 from the inlet 30 to the outlet 40.

[0024] Referring to Figure 2, an inlet 30 according to an embodiment will be described. The matters described for the inlet 30 are also applicable to the outlet 40.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the inlet 30 includes a connector 31, a seal 32, and a nut 33. As shown in Figure 2, the connector 31 includes a pipe 311, a flange 312, and a threaded shaft 313. The pipe 311 is located on the +Z side of the projection plate 22 and extends in the Z direction. The flange 312 is located on the +Z side of the projection plate 22 and is provided at the -Z end of the pipe 311. The diameter of the flange 312 perpendicular to the Z direction is larger than the diameter of the pipe 311 perpendicular to the Z direction. The threaded shaft 313 extends from the -Z end of the pipe 311 through the port 221 of the projection plate 22 and into the -Z direction. The port 221 is a hole communicating with the flow path 25. The -Z end of the threaded shaft 313 enters the flow path 25. As shown in Figure 2, the inlet 30 is hollow between the +Z end of the pipe 311 and the -Z end of the threaded shaft 313. Therefore, by allowing fluid to flow through the hollow space inside the inlet 30 from the +Z end of the pipe 311 to the -Z end of the screw shaft 313, fluid can be introduced into the flow path 25. Thus, the flow path 25 and the connector 31 are fluidly connected to each other.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the seal 32 is embedded in a groove 312a provided on the -Z side of the flange 312. The groove 312a has a bottom surface on the +Z side and opens on the -Z side. The seal 32 surrounds the entire screw shaft 313 around the Z direction. The seal 32 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. Specifically, the seal 32 is, for example, an O-ring that surrounds the entire screw shaft 313 in a substantially circular shape around the Z direction.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the nut 33 is located on the -Z side of the protruding plate 22. Therefore, the nut 33 is located inside the flow path 25. The outer surface of the screw shaft 313 around the Z direction and the inner surface of the nut 33 around the Z direction have threads that mesh with each other. By rotating the nut 33 around the screw shaft 313 with the threads on the outer surface of the screw shaft 313 around the Z direction and the inner surface of the nut 33 around the Z direction meshed, the screw shaft 313 and the nut 33 can be tightened together. The screw shaft 313 and the nut 33 are tightened together, for example, before the protruding plate 22 covers the nut 33 and the flow path 25 is formed. Therefore, with the screw shaft 313 and the nut 33 tightened together, the nut 33 can be located inside the flow path 25. In this embodiment, the protruding plate 22 and the connector 31 are fastened together by tightening the screw shaft 313 and the nut 33 with the seal 32 positioned between the +Z surface of the protruding plate 22 and the bottom surface on the +Z side of the groove 312a. Therefore, the nut 33 serves as a fastener for fastening the protruding plate 22 and the connector 31 together. By tightening the screw shaft 313 and the nut 33 together, the seal 32 is compressed in the Z direction by the +Z surface of the protruding plate 22 and the bottom surface on the +Z side of the groove 312a. Thus, the space between the +Z surface of the protruding plate 22 and the -Z surface of the flange 312 can be sealed watertight. Therefore, the protruding plate 22 and the connector 31 can be connected to each other watertightly.

[0028] In this embodiment, the protruding plate 22 and the connector 31 can be connected to each other without welding them together. When the protruding plate 22 is plated with at least one of aluminum and aluminum alloy, welding the protruding plate 22 and the connector 31 to each other can cause the aluminum and aluminum alloy of the protruding plate 22 to be affected by melting or other effects due to welding. However, in this embodiment, the protruding plate 22 and the connector 31 can be connected to each other without using means that generate relatively high temperatures, such as welding. Even if the protruding plate 22 is plated with at least one of aluminum and aluminum alloy, the impact on the aluminum and aluminum alloy due to the connection of the protruding plate 22 and the connector 31 can be reduced.

[0029] In this embodiment, the port 221 for introducing fluid is formed on a protruding plate 22 that is additionally provided on the tray 21. If the port 221 were provided on the tray 21, fluid leaking from the port 221 could easily enter the storage space of the tray 21. If fluid leaking from the port 221 enters the storage space of the tray 21, it may become difficult to suppress the impact of the fluid on the battery module 10. However, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide the port 221 on the tray 21. Therefore, the impact of the fluid on the battery module 10 can be suppressed compared to the case where the port 221 is provided on the tray 21. Furthermore, because the port 221 is provided on the protruding plate 22, the port 221 can be provided at a relatively distant position from the tray 21. Therefore, the impact of the fluid on the battery module 10 can be suppressed compared to the case where the port 221 is provided on the tray 21. Furthermore, compared to the case where port 221 is provided on tray 21, it is possible to improve the workability for fluidly connecting a tank (not shown) for supplying fluid and the inlet 30 with a flow path such as a hose, and for fluidly connecting the tank and the outlet 40 with a flow path such as a hose.

[0030] As can be seen from the description of the embodiments, the structure that is watertightly connected to the connector 31 by the seal 32 and nut 33 is not limited to the protruding plate 22. The connector 31 can be watertightly connected by the seal 32 and nut 33 to a structure that defines the flow path 25, including the tray 21.

[0031] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, but these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1 Battery pack, 10 Battery modules, 20 Housing, 21 Tray, 211 Bottom plate, 212 Side plate, 213 Side edge plate, 22 Protruding plate, 221 Port, 23 Lower plate, 24 Upper plate, 241 Upper case, 241a Edge, 242 Upper edge plate, 25 Flow channel, 26 Side seal, 30 Inlet, 31 Connector, 311 Tube, 312 Flange, 312a Groove, 313 Screw shaft, 32 Seal, 33 Nut, 40 Outlet

Claims

1. Battery module and A housing for the aforementioned battery module, A protruding body extending from the aforementioned housing, A structure positioned at least partially at a distance from the housing and the protruding body, Equipped with, The housing, the protruding body, and the structure define a flow path through the gaps between the portions of the housing and the structure that are spaced apart from each other, and through the gaps between the portions of the protruding body and the structure that are spaced apart from each other. The protruding body is a battery pack having a port that communicates with the flow path.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a first portion located between the battery module and the flow path, and a second portion bent from the first portion.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing and the protruding part are joined to each other.

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