Battery temperature control device

Abstract

To better regulate the overall temperature of multiple battery cells. [Solution] The battery temperature control device comprises a plurality of temperature controllers arranged in a line so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the battery cells and through which a heat transfer medium flows; an outer tube having a plurality of supply ports corresponding to each of the plurality of temperature controllers; and an inner tube displaceable within the outer tube and having a plurality of openings that can communicate with each of the plurality of supply ports. The heat transfer medium supply pipe supplies the heat transfer medium supplied to the inside of the inner tube to each of the plurality of temperature controllers via the supply ports and openings that can communicate with each other. Depending on the displacement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube, the heat transfer medium supply pipe can form a state in which the communication area of ​​some of the supply ports and openings differs from the communication area of ​​the remaining supply ports and openings.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a battery temperature control device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a battery temperature control device that circulates a heat medium through a plurality of temperature regulators to adjust the temperature of a plurality of battery cells is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a plurality of heat exchange tubes (temperature regulators) are arranged side by side so as to be sandwiched between battery cells, and one end of each heat exchange tube is connected by a hose barb, and a heat medium (coolant) is circulated in a flow path formed by a plurality of hose barbs to supply the heat medium to each heat exchange tube.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1 described above, the supply amount of the heat medium supplied from the flow path to each heat exchange tube is left to chance. Therefore, for example, when a relatively large amount of a heat medium having a larger temperature difference from the battery cells is supplied to some of the heat exchange tubes, it may occur. In that case, while the temperature of some of the battery cells can be sufficiently adjusted, there is a risk that the temperature adjustment of the remaining battery cells will be insufficient. For this reason, further improvement is required.

[0005] The main object of the present disclosure is to more appropriately perform the overall temperature adjustment of a plurality of battery cells.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present disclosure has taken the following means to achieve the above main object.

[0007] The battery temperature control device of this disclosure is A battery temperature control device that adjusts the temperature of multiple battery cells, Multiple temperature controllers are arranged in a line so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the battery cell, and a heat transfer medium flows through them; A heat transfer medium supply pipe comprising an outer pipe having multiple supply ports corresponding to each of the multiple temperature controllers, and an inner pipe displaceable within the outer pipe and having multiple openings communicating with each of the multiple supply ports, wherein the heat transfer medium supplied to the inside of the inner pipe is supplied to each of the multiple temperature controllers via the supply ports and openings that can communicate with each other, Equipped with, The heat transfer medium supply pipe is capable of forming a state in which, depending on the displacement of the inner pipe relative to the outer pipe, the communication area of ​​some of the supply ports and openings that can communicate with each other differs from the communication area of ​​the remaining supply ports and openings. This is the gist of it.

[0008] In the battery temperature control device of this disclosure, the heat transfer medium supply pipe can be configured such that, depending on the displacement of the inner pipe relative to the outer pipe, the communication area of ​​some of the supply ports and openings and the communication area of ​​the remaining supply ports and openings are different. This makes it possible to make the amount of heat transfer medium supplied from some of the supply ports to the corresponding temperature controllers different from the amount of heat transfer medium supplied from the remaining supply ports to the corresponding temperature controllers. As a result, it is possible to vary the amount of heat transfer medium supplied according to the temperature conditions of multiple battery cells, thereby enabling more appropriate temperature control of the entire battery cell system. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the battery pack 1, including the battery temperature control device 5. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the main part of the battery temperature control device 5. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the inner pipe 17 and its operation control. [Figure 4]This is a cross-sectional view of the openings 171(1) to 171(7) of the inner pipe 17. [Figure 5] This is a partial cross-sectional view of the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing an example of the supply pattern formation process. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the heat transfer medium supply pattern of the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of temperature unevenness and supply patterns. [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 1 including a battery temperature control device 5. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the main part of the battery temperature control device 5. The battery pack 1 is mounted on an electric vehicle, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and includes a battery temperature control device 5 equipped with a plurality of temperature controllers 10, as well as a plurality of cylindrical battery cells 2, such as lithium-ion secondary batteries and nickel-metal hydride secondary batteries, and a battery case (not shown). In this embodiment, each battery cell 2 has an axial length longer than its outer diameter. Note that the battery cell 2 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may be rectangular, flattened, etc. Also, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, an example is shown in which seven temperature controllers 10 (10(1) to 10(7)) are arranged in the y-axis direction, but it is not limited to seven, and any number may be arranged.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the multiple battery cells 2 are arranged along the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction perpendicular to the x-axis direction in Figure 1, such that their respective axes A extend parallel to each other. That is, the multiple battery cells 2 are arranged in a roughly rectangular arrangement area R (dotted line area in Figure 1) when viewed from above. The multiple battery cells 2 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 4, and the multiple cell units 4 are connected in series or parallel to each other via busbars (not shown). In addition, each temperature controller 10 of the battery temperature control device 5 is positioned between the cell units 4, which include the multiple battery cells 2 arranged along the x-axis direction, in the y-axis direction. That is, in the battery pack 1, the multiple temperature controllers 10 are arranged at intervals in the y-axis direction relative to the numerous battery cells 2.

[0012] The temperature controller 10 includes a plate-shaped temperature controller body 11 having a corrugated cross-sectional shape with a uniform thickness, a shell portion 12 attached to one end of the temperature controller body 11, and an end cover 13 attached to the other end of the temperature controller body 11. The temperature controller body 11 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 2 (slightly shorter than the axial length of the battery cell 2). 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 11.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the temperature controller body 11 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 2 constituting one cell unit 4, and the upper surface (surface of the insulating layer) in the figure abuts against the outer circumferential surfaces of multiple battery cells 2 constituting the upper cell unit 4, which is positioned offset in the x-axis direction from the lower cell unit 4. That is, the radius of curvature of the curved surfaces defining the upper and lower surfaces (surface of the insulating layer) of the temperature controller body 11 in Figure 1 generally coincides with the radius of curvature of the outer circumferential surfaces of the battery cells 2. Note that the temperature controller body 11 is not limited to a corrugated shape, and may be fixed in a flat shape or the like depending on the shape of the battery cells 2.

[0014] Furthermore, although not shown in the figures, the temperature controller body 11 has multiple heat transfer medium passages inside, including a forward passage located above the center C in the z-axis direction (height direction) of Figure 2, and a return passage located below the center C. Each of the multiple heat transfer medium passages opens at a pair of rectangular ends that are not formed in a corrugated shape, and extends parallel to each other in the x-axis direction (unidirectional, extending direction) along the side surface of the temperature controller body 11, which extends in a corrugated shape from one end of the pair of ends to the other.

[0015] The shell portion 12 is composed of a pair of shell members, manufactured by press-forming, for example, an aluminum alloy plate to have a generally symmetrical structure. Each shell member is joined to the temperature controller body 11 using a brazing material (not shown) so as to sandwich one end of the x-axis direction of the temperature controller body 11. That is, the temperature controller body 11 and each shell member of the shell portion 12 are integrally joined by brazing. The shell portion 12, although not shown, has a communication space inside that communicates with the heat transfer medium passage of the temperature controller body 11, which includes an upper communication space that communicates with the supply passage of the temperature controller body 11, and a lower communication space that is separated from the upper communication space and communicates with the return passage of the temperature controller body 11.

[0016] The end cover 13 is composed of a pair of cover members manufactured by pressing a flat plate made of, for example, an aluminum alloy so as to have a generally symmetrical structure. Each cover member is joined using a brazing material (not shown) so as to sandwich the other end of the thermostat body 11 in the x-axis direction. That is, the thermostat body 11 and each cover member of the end cover 13 are integrally joined by brazing. Although not shown in the figure, the end cover 13 has a communication space inside that allows the forward passage and the return passage of the thermostat body 11 to communicate with each other.

[0017] In addition to a plurality of thermostats 10, the battery temperature control device 5 includes a heat medium supply pipe 15 for supplying a heat medium (refrigerant) to each thermostat 10, and a heat medium recovery pipe 19 for recovering the heat medium from each thermostat 10. The heat medium supply pipe 15 has a double-pipe structure including an outer pipe 16 and an inner pipe 17 that is displaceably arranged inside the outer pipe 16 and through which the heat medium flows.

[0018] The outer pipe 16 is composed of a plurality of cylindrical short pipes whose both ends are respectively connected to one shell member of the shell portion 12 of the thermostat 10 and the other shell member of the shell portion 12 of the thermostat 10 adjacent to the thermostat 10 in the y-axis direction of FIG. 1. Each short pipe is connected to the shell portion 12 so as to communicate with the upper communication space of the shell portion 12 of each thermostat 10. In this way, the outer pipe 16 is formed by fixing a plurality of cylindrical short pipes to a plurality of thermostats 10 (thermostat bodies 11), and communicates with the forward passages of each of the plurality of thermostats 10 (thermostat bodies 11) through the upper communication space of the shell portion 12. However, in this embodiment, for the sake of convenience of illustration and description, it will be described as if the outer pipe 16 is formed with supply ports 161 (see FIG. 2) for supplying the heat medium to the forward passages of each of the plurality of thermostats 10 (thermostat bodies 11). Seven supply ports 161 of the same size are formed corresponding to each of the seven thermostats 10(1) to 10(7).

[0019] The inner tube 17 is a cylindrical tube extending in the y-axis direction and is displaceable within the outer tube 16. In this embodiment, the inner tube 17 is displaced by rotating circumferentially relative to the outer tube 16. Figure 3 is a configuration diagram relating to the inner tube 17 and its operation control. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the openings 171(1) to 171(7) of the inner tube 17. As shown in Figure 3, the inner tube 17 has multiple openings 171 that can communicate with each of the supply ports 161 of the outer tube 16. In this embodiment, since there are seven supply ports 161 in the outer tube 16, the openings 171(1) to 171(7) are formed at positions corresponding to the seven supply ports 161. Each of the openings 171(1) to 171(7) has the same opening width in the axial direction (y-axis direction), but differs in circumferential opening length, resulting in different sizes. Furthermore, while each of the openings 171(1) to 171(5) has one opening, the openings 171(6) and (7) each have two openings spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

[0020] Here, as shown in Figure 4, the openings 171(1) to 171(5) are numbered 171(1), 171(2), 171(3), 171(4), and 171(5) in order from smallest to largest circumferential opening length. That is, if the circumferential opening length is considered as a circular arc, the central angles θ of openings 171(1) to 171(5) are θ1 < θ2 < θ3 < θ4 < θ5. Note that opening 171(5) is slightly larger than opening 171(4), but openings 171(4) and 171(5) may have approximately the same circumferential opening length (θ4 ≈ θ5). Also, one end of openings 171(1) to 171(5) is formed at the same reference position in the circumferential direction (see line L in Figures 3 and 4). Opening 171(6) has an opening 171(6)a formed at a reference position at one end in the circumferential direction, and an opening 171(6)b formed at a distance from the other end in the circumferential direction of opening 171(6)a. Similarly, opening 171(7) has an opening 171(7)a and an opening 171(7)b. The central angles θ of openings 171(6) and 171(7) are such that θ6a ≈ θ2 > θ7a and θ6b ≈ θ7b. Thus, the inner pipe 17 has multiple openings 171 of different sizes and positions. For this reason, the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15 can form a state in which the communication area between each supply port 161 of the outer pipe 16 and each opening 171 of the inner pipe 17 differs depending on the displacement of the inner pipe 17 relative to the outer pipe 16, and details will be described later.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, O-rings (sealing members) 18 are attached to both axial ends of the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15 (inner pipe 17) and between the axial ends of each opening 171(1) to 171(7). As shown in Figure 5, the O-rings 18 are attached to annular grooves 17a formed on the outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe 17 and slide in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the outer pipe 16. This prevents the heat transfer medium that flows through the inner pipe 17 and flows out from the opening 171 into the gap between the outer pipe 16 and the inner pipe 17 from flowing into the adjacent supply port 161 or adjacent opening 171, or from flowing out from the end of the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15.

[0022] The heat transfer medium recovery pipe 19, like the outer pipe 16 of the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15, is composed of multiple cylindrical short pipes, each connected at both ends to one shell member of the shell portion 12 of the temperature controller 10 and to the other shell member of the shell portion 12 of the temperature controller 10 adjacent to the temperature controller 10 in the y-axis direction in Figure 1. Each short pipe is connected to the shell portion 12 of each temperature controller 10 so as to communicate with the lower communication space of the shell portion 12 of the temperature controller 10. In this way, the heat transfer medium recovery pipe 19 is composed of multiple cylindrical short pipes fixed to multiple temperature controllers 10 (temperature controller body 11), and by communicating with the return passages of each of the multiple temperature controllers 10 (temperature controller body 11) via the lower communication space of the shell portion 12, the heat transfer medium that has flowed through the return passage flows into it. Note that, unlike the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15, the heat transfer medium recovery pipe 19 does not have a double-pipe structure.

[0023] Furthermore, the battery temperature control device 5 includes a plurality of temperature sensors 23 for detecting the temperature of the battery cells 2, a motor 25 and a reduction mechanism 27 for rotating the inner tube 17 of the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15 in the circumferential direction, and a control unit 29 for controlling the supply of the heat transfer medium by controlling the rotational displacement of the inner tube 17.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, a total of six temperature sensors 23 are arranged within the arrangement area R (dotted line area) of multiple battery cells 2 to detect the temperature at two locations in the center and at the four corners. Note that the arrangement position and number of each temperature sensor 23 are just an example and are not limited to this. As shown in Figure 3, the motor 25 is arranged, for example, on the other axial end of the inner tube 17. The reduction mechanism 27 reduces and transmits the rotation of the motor 25 to a connecting member connected to the inner tube 17. The inner tube 17 is rotated and displaced by the motor 25 and the reduction mechanism 27. The control unit 29 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU, and in addition to the CPU, it is equipped with ROM, RAM, input / output ports, etc. The control unit 29 receives the detected temperature detected by each temperature sensor 23 via the input port. The control unit 29 also outputs drive signals to the motor 25 via the output port.

[0025] In the battery temperature control device 5 configured in this way, for example, a heat transfer medium (refrigerant) is supplied into the inner tube 17 from one end of the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15 in the y-axis direction (upper end in Figure 1, supply side) by a pump (not shown). The heat transfer medium is cooled or heated to the required temperature by a radiator (cooler) or heater (not shown) before being supplied into the inner tube 17. The heat transfer medium flows through the inner tube 17 from one end in the y-axis direction to the other end (lower end in Figure 1, discharge side) (flow F1 in Figures 1 to 3). The heat transfer medium flowing through the inner tube 17 flows into the supply passage of each temperature controller 10 through the mutually communicating openings 171 and supply port 161 (upper communication space). That is, the heat transfer medium is supplied to multiple (for example, seven) temperature controllers 10 while flowing through the inner tube 17 of the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15 from one end in the y-axis direction to the other end. The heat transfer medium that flows into the supply passage of each temperature controller 10 flows through the supply passage (flow F2 in Figure 2), then turns back at the end cover 13 and flows through the return passage (flow F3 in Figure 2). The heat transfer medium that has flowed through the return passage flows into the heat transfer medium recovery pipe 19 via the lower communication space and flows through the heat transfer medium recovery pipe 19 from the other end to the one end in the y-axis direction (flow F4 in Figure 2). The heat transfer medium that has flowed through the heat transfer medium recovery pipe 19 is cooled or heated to the required temperature before being supplied again to the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15 (inside the inner pipe 17).

[0026] Furthermore, in the battery temperature control device 5 of this embodiment, it is possible to form a supply pattern that includes a state in which the communication area between each supply port 161 of the outer tube 16 and each opening 171 of the inner tube 17 is different, depending on the displacement of the inner tube 17 relative to the outer tube 16. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the supply pattern formation process. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the supply pattern of the heat transfer medium in the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of temperature unevenness and supply pattern.

[0027] In the supply pattern formation process shown in Figure 6, the control unit 29 first acquires the detected temperature from each temperature sensor 23 to detect temperature unevenness (S100). In this embodiment, as described above, the six temperature sensors 23 acquire the temperature at six points in the battery cell 2 arrangement area R. From these temperatures, the control unit 29 acquires, for example, the maximum temperature, minimum temperature, overall average temperature, temperature difference between the four corners and the center, temperature difference within the four corners, average temperature of two points on the shell portion 12 side, average temperature of two points on the end cover 13 side, temperature difference between the shell portion 12 side and the end cover 13 side, temperature difference of two points on one end side, temperature difference of two points on the other end side, and temperature difference between one end side and the other end side, and confirms the presence or absence of temperature unevenness in the arrangement area R and its trend.

[0028] Next, the control unit 29 determines whether or not there is temperature unevenness (S110). If it determines that there is no temperature unevenness, it controls the motor 25 to form a uniform pattern by displacing the inner tube 17 (S120), and then terminates this process. The uniform pattern (identical pattern) is a pattern in which the inner tube 17 is displaced so that the openings 171 and the supply port 161 that communicate with each other communicate with the same communication area, as shown in the upper part of Figure 7. In this embodiment, since the communication area is made to be the largest possible communication area as the uniform communication area, it is also called the maximum pattern. By forming a uniform pattern (maximum pattern), it becomes possible to supply the heat transfer medium to each of the seven temperature controllers 10(1) to 10(7) with an equal (maximum) supply amount (thick arrow). On the other hand, if the control unit 29 determines that there is temperature unevenness, it determines whether the temperature unevenness is on the central side (S130) or on the other end side (S140).

[0029] If the control unit 29 determines in S130 that the temperature unevenness is on the central side, it controls the motor 25 to form a central increase pattern by displacing the inner tube 17 (S150), and then terminates this process. If the control unit 29 determines in S140 that the temperature unevenness is on the other end side, it controls the motor 25 to form a other end increase pattern by displacing the inner tube 17 (S160), and then terminates this process. Furthermore, if there is temperature unevenness, but it cannot be determined whether it is on the central side or the other end side, the control unit 29 forms a uniform pattern (S120), and then terminates this process. Note that if each pattern has already been formed in S120, S150, or S160, the process can be omitted and this process can be terminated. Also, even if the trend of temperature unevenness cannot be determined, the process may proceed to form either the central increase pattern or the other end increase pattern without proceeding to S120.

[0030] Temperature unevenness in the center refers to a situation in the battery pack 1 shown in the upper part of Figure 8, where the temperature in the area enclosed by the dotted line differs significantly from other temperatures, for example, tending to be lower than other temperatures. This temperature unevenness occurs, for example, when an electric vehicle equipped with the battery pack 1 is stopped and the battery pack 1 is not being charged, and the peripheral battery cells 2 maintain their temperature due to the influence of the ambient temperature, while the temperature of the central battery cells 2 decreases. Note that temperature unevenness in the center can also occur when the temperature of the central battery cells 2 is higher than the temperature of the peripheral battery cells 2. In the case of temperature unevenness in the center, the control unit 29 forms the central charging pattern shown in the middle part of Figure 7. The central charging pattern is a pattern in which the communication area between the supply port 161 and the opening 171 on the central side of the inner tube 17 is made larger than that on one end side and the other end side of the inner tube 17. Specifically, the supply ports 161 and openings 171(3) to 171(5) corresponding to the central temperature controllers 10(3) to 10(5) are connected with the maximum possible communication area, enabling the supply of the heat transfer medium to each of the temperature controllers 10(3) to 10(5) at the maximum supply rate (thick arrows). In addition, the supply ports 161 and openings 171(2) and 171(6)a corresponding to the temperature controller 10(2) at one end and the temperature controller 10(6) at the other end are connected with a small communication area, enabling the supply of the heat transfer medium to each of the temperature controllers 10(2) and 10(6) at a smaller supply rate (thin arrows). Furthermore, the communication between the supply ports 161 and openings 171(1) and 171(7) corresponding to the temperature controller 10(1) on one end and the temperature controller 10(7) on the other end is blocked, making it impossible to supply heat transfer fluid to the temperature controllers 10(1) and 10(7). By forming this central increase pattern, priority is given to supplying heat transfer fluid mainly to the central temperature controllers 10(3) to 10(5), thereby promoting temperature adjustment (e.g., heating) of the central battery cells 2 and eliminating temperature unevenness. In addition, the central increase pattern corresponds to an uneven pattern in which the communication area of ​​at least the supply ports 161 and openings 171(1) and 171(2) on one end is reduced (including blocking communication), making it smaller than the remaining communication area.

[0031] Temperature unevenness at the other end refers to a situation in the battery pack 1 shown in the lower part of Figure 8 where the temperature in the area enclosed by the dotted line differs significantly from other temperatures, for example, a situation where the temperature tends to be higher than other temperatures. This temperature unevenness occurs, for example, when the battery pack 1 is continuously being fast-charged, and the battery cells 2 mainly at the rear end become insufficiently cooled, causing the temperature to rise. In the case of temperature unevenness at the other end, the control unit 29 forms the other-end supply increase pattern shown in the lower part of Figure 7. The other-end supply increase pattern is a pattern in which the communication area between the supply port 161 and the opening 171 at the other end of the inner tube 17 is made larger than that at one end and the center of the inner tube 17. Specifically, the supply ports 161 and openings 171(6)b and 171(7)b corresponding to the temperature controllers 10(6) and 10(7) at the other end are connected with the maximum communication area, enabling the supply of the heat transfer medium to each of the temperature controllers 10(6) and 10(7) at the maximum supply amount (thick arrows). Furthermore, the connection between each supply port 161 and each opening 171(1) to 171(3) corresponding to the temperature controllers 10(1) and 10(2) at one end and the temperature controller 10(3) at the center is blocked, making it impossible to supply heat transfer fluid to the temperature controllers 10(1) to 10(3). In addition, the supply port 161 corresponding to the temperature controller 10(4) at the center and the opening 171(4) are connected with a small communication area, making it possible to supply heat transfer fluid to the temperature controller 10(4) with a small supply amount (thin arrow). Also, the supply port 161 corresponding to the temperature controller 10(5) at the center and the opening 171(5) are connected with a medium communication area, making it possible to supply heat transfer fluid to the temperature controller 10(5) with a medium supply amount (medium arrow). By forming this other-end increase pattern, priority is given to supplying the heat transfer medium mainly to the temperature controllers 10(6) and 10(7) on the other end, thereby promoting temperature adjustment (e.g., cooling) of the battery cells 2 on the other end and eliminating temperature unevenness. The other-end increase pattern also corresponds to an uneven pattern in which the communication area of ​​at least one end of the supply ports 161 and openings 171(1) to 171(3) is reduced (including blocking communication) to be smaller than the remaining communication area.

[0032] In the battery temperature control device 5 of this embodiment described above, the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15 can form a state in which the communication area of ​​some of the supply ports 161 and openings 171 differs from the communication area of ​​the remaining supply ports 161 and openings 171, depending on the displacement of the inner pipe 17 relative to the outer pipe 16. This makes it possible to make the amount of heat transfer medium supplied from some of the supply ports 161 to the corresponding temperature controller 10 different from the amount of heat transfer medium supplied from the remaining supply ports 161 to the corresponding temperature controller 10. As a result, the overall temperature control of multiple battery cells 2 can be performed more appropriately.

[0033] Furthermore, the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15 supplies the heat transfer medium into the inner pipe 17 so that it flows from one end to the other. In addition, depending on the displacement of the inner pipe 17 relative to the outer pipe 16, it selectively forms an equal pattern in which all the communication areas of the supply ports 161 and openings 171 that can communicate with each other are the same, and an unequal (unequal) pattern in which at least a portion of the communication area on one end of the supply ports 161 and openings 171 that can communicate with each other is smaller than the remaining communication area. When the heat transfer medium is supplied into the inner pipe 17 so that it flows from one end to the other, the heat transfer medium with a relatively large temperature difference with the battery cell 2 is more likely to be supplied to the temperature controller 10 on the one end, allowing for preferential heat exchange. For this reason, by forming an unequal pattern in the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15, the amount of heat transfer medium supplied to the remaining temperature controllers 10 is increased compared to the temperature controller 10 on the one end, thereby suppressing preferential heat exchange at the temperature controller 10 on the one end. Therefore, the overall temperature control of the multiple battery cells 2 can be performed more effectively.

[0034] Furthermore, the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15 selectively forms an uneven pattern, specifically a central increase pattern that increases the area of ​​communication between the supply port 161 and the opening 171 on the central side of the inner pipe 17 compared to the one end and the other end, and an other end increase pattern that increases the area of ​​communication between the supply port 161 and the opening 171 on the other end of the inner pipe 17 compared to the one end and the central side. This allows for appropriate response to temperature unevenness in the battery cell 2 arrangement region R.

[0035] Furthermore, the outer tube 16 and the inner tube 17 are formed in a coaxial cylindrical shape, and displacement occurs when the inner tube 17 rotates circumferentially relative to the outer tube 16. Therefore, compared to a system where displacement occurs when the inner tube 17 moves axially relative to the outer tube 16, the axial size of the heat transfer medium supply tube 15 can be kept to a minimum, resulting in a more compact configuration.

[0036] In this embodiment, each opening 171 formed in the inner tube 17 has the same number of openings (one or two) but different sizes (common axial width and different circumferential lengths), so that the area of ​​communication with the supply port 161 differs depending on the displacement. However, this is not limited to this. For example, each opening 171 may be formed as a collection of multiple openings (small holes) of the same size but smaller than in this embodiment, and the number of such openings (small holes) may differ so that the area of ​​communication with the supply port 161 differs depending on the displacement. That is, to increase the supply amount, the number of openings (small holes) communicating with the supply port 161 should be increased to increase the area of ​​communication, and to decrease the supply amount, the number of openings (small holes) communicating with the supply port 161 should be decreased to decrease the area of ​​communication.

[0037] In this embodiment, the inner tube 17 was displaced by rotation in the circumferential direction, but it is not limited to this, and may be displaced by movement in the axial direction.

[0038] In this embodiment, there are two uneven patterns: a central increase pattern and an end-end increase pattern. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and there may be three or more patterns, or only one uneven pattern. In this embodiment, the uneven pattern includes one that blocks communication between the supply port 161 and the opening 171, which are able to communicate with each other. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and it may be possible to maintain communication even with a small communication area without including one that blocks communication.

[0039] In this embodiment, both uniform and unequal patterns can be formed, but the invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that at least unequal patterns can be formed. That is, the heat transfer medium supply pipe 15 only needs to be able to form a state in which some of the communication areas of the supply ports 161 and openings 171 that can communicate with each other are different from the remaining communication areas. Furthermore, as an unequal pattern, a pattern with a relatively small difference in communication area may be provided, for example, an unequal pattern (gradually changing pattern) that gradually increases the communication area from one end to the other end may be provided. This is because, in the case of a uniform pattern in which all communication areas are the same, the supply of heat transfer medium to the temperature controller 10 on one end tends to be prioritized over the other temperature controllers 10, and this is intended to mitigate that tendency. This unequal pattern may be used instead of a uniform pattern.

[0040] In this embodiment, the supply pattern was selectively formed based on temperature unevenness determined from the temperature detected by each temperature sensor 23, but it is not limited to this. For example, the supply pattern may be selectively formed based on the time of day, whether or not charging is being performed, the driving conditions of the electric vehicle, the outside temperature, etc.

[0041] In this embodiment, the heat transfer medium is supplied from one end of the inner tube 17 and flows toward the other end, i.e., it flows in one direction, but it is not limited to this, and the heat transfer medium may be supplied from both ends of the inner tube 17. Also, in this embodiment, an O-ring 18 is attached to the inner tube 17, but it is not limited to this. For example, if the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube 16 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube 17 is small and the outflow of the heat transfer medium is not a problem, the O-ring 18 between each opening 171 may be omitted.

[0042] The above describes the forms for implementing this disclosure using embodiments, but 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]

[0043] This disclosure is applicable to industries such as the manufacturing of battery temperature control devices. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 2 battery cell, 5 battery temperature controller, 10,10(1)~10(7) temperature controller, 15 heat medium supply pipe, 16 outer tube, 161 supply port, 17 inner tube, 171,171(1)~(7),171(6)a,171(6)b,171(7)a,171(7)b opening.

Claims

1. A battery temperature control device that adjusts the temperature of multiple battery cells, Multiple temperature controllers are arranged in a line so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the battery cell, and a heat transfer medium flows through them; A heat transfer medium supply pipe comprising an outer pipe having multiple supply ports corresponding to each of the multiple temperature controllers, and an inner pipe displaceable within the outer pipe and having multiple openings communicating with each of the multiple supply ports, wherein the heat transfer medium supplied to the inside of the inner pipe is supplied to each of the multiple temperature controllers via the supply ports and openings that can communicate with each other, Equipped with, The heat transfer medium supply pipe is capable of forming a state in which, depending on the displacement of the inner pipe relative to the outer pipe, the communication area of ​​some of the supply ports and openings that can communicate with each other differs from the communication area of ​​the remaining supply ports and openings. Battery temperature control device.

2. The heat transfer medium supply pipe is configured such that a heat transfer medium is supplied into the inner pipe so that it flows from one end to the other, and depending on the displacement of the inner pipe relative to the outer pipe, it selectively forms an equal pattern in which all of the supply ports and openings that can communicate with each other have the same communication area, and an uneven pattern in which at least a portion of the communication area on one end of the supply ports and openings that can communicate with each other has a smaller communication area than the remaining communication area. Battery temperature control device according to claim 1.

3. The heat transfer medium supply pipe selectively forms the following non-uniform patterns: a central increase pattern that increases the area of ​​communication between the supply port and the opening on the central side of the inner pipe compared to one end and the other end; and an other end increase pattern that increases the area of ​​communication between the supply port and the opening on the other end of the inner pipe compared to one end and the central side. The battery temperature control device according to claim 2.

4. The outer tube and the inner tube are formed in a coaxial cylindrical shape, and the inner tube is displaced by rotation in the circumferential direction relative to the outer tube. A battery temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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