Battery pack

Abstract

To provide a battery pack which improves internal layout property while suppressing variations in temperatures of a plurality of battery modules.SOLUTION: A battery pack 7 which is mounted on a vehicle 1 comprises a plurality of battery cooling sections 41 disposed at a lower side of three battery modules 31 which are disposed side by side in a longitudinal direction. Each battery cooling section 41 includes a coolant jacket 50 which cools the three battery modules 31, a supply pipe 60 and a discharge pipe 70. The coolant jacket 50, the supply pipe 60 and the discharge pipe 70 have a flat shape which is short in a vertical direction. The supply pipe 60 is disposed at a lower side of the coolant jacket 50 and connected to a supply port 51 which is provided in a central part 50c of the coolant jacket 50 in the longitudinal direction. The discharge pipe 70 is disposed at a lower side of the coolant jacket 50 and connected to a discharge port 52 which is provided in the central part 50c of the coolant jacket 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack to be mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, research and development has been conducted on secondary cells (hereinafter also referred to as batteries) that contribute to energy efficiency in order to ensure that more people have access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and advanced energy.

[0003] Vehicles such as battery-powered electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles are equipped with large-capacity batteries. Because the batteries installed in such vehicles generate a large amount of heat, a cooling mechanism is provided to cool the batteries from the standpoint of safety and prevention of deterioration. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a heat transfer device in which a flat tube through which a heat transfer medium flows is arranged below multiple battery packs, thereby simultaneously cooling multiple battery packs.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, an inlet member and an outlet member through which a heat transfer medium flows in and out are provided at the middle of the flat tube in the longitudinal direction. Since the refrigerant flows in and out from the center of the flat tube, temperature variations among multiple battery packs can be suppressed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-86183 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in Patent Document 1, the middle portion of the flat tube is located between adjacent assembled batteries, and inlet and outlet pipes that connect to the inlet and outlet members are attached from above in the space between the adjacent assembled batteries. With this configuration, the layout of various components mounted in the battery pack (such as multiple assembled batteries and connecting members that connect the assembled batteries) may be limited by the inlet and outlet pipes.

[0007] The present invention provides a battery pack that improves the internal layout while suppressing temperature variations among a plurality of battery modules, thereby contributing to improved energy efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides A battery pack mounted on a vehicle, A battery case; a plurality of battery modules mounted in the battery case such that a longitudinal direction thereof is the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the plurality of battery modules being arranged side by side, with at least two battery modules in the vehicle width direction and at least two battery modules in the front-rear direction; a plurality of battery cooling units through which a refrigerant flows and which are arranged below the at least two battery modules arranged side by side in the front-rear direction; a distribution pipe disposed on one side of the plurality of battery modules in the front-rear direction and configured to distribute the refrigerant to the plurality of battery cooling sections; a collection pipe that is disposed on the other side of the plurality of battery modules in the front-rear direction and collects the refrigerant discharged from the plurality of battery cooling units, Each battery cooling unit is a refrigerant jacket that cools the at least two battery modules arranged side by side in the front-rear direction; a supply pipe connected to the refrigerant jacket and the distribution pipe for supplying the refrigerant to the refrigerant jacket; a discharge pipe connected to the refrigerant jacket and the collecting pipe, and configured to discharge the refrigerant from the refrigerant jacket, The refrigerant jacket, the supply pipe, and the discharge pipe have a flat shape that is short in the vertical direction, the supply pipe is disposed below the refrigerant jacket and is connected to a supply port provided at a center portion of the refrigerant jacket in the front-rear direction, The discharge pipe is disposed below the refrigerant jacket and is connected to a discharge port provided in the center of the refrigerant jacket. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the internal layout flexibility while suppressing the temperature variation among a plurality of battery modules. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view showing the overall structure of a vehicle 1 equipped with a battery pack 7 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the battery pack 7. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery cooling mechanism 40. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the battery cooling mechanism 40 as seen from below. [Figure 5] 4 is a diagram showing the battery module 31 and the battery cooling section 41 disposed below the battery module 31 at the position of the cross section AA in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cross section AA of FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cross section BB of FIG. 3. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the CC cross section of FIG. 3. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cross section DD of FIG. 3. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the E-E cross section of FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of a battery pack of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are to be viewed in the direction indicated by the reference numerals, and in the following description, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions are described according to the direction as seen by the driver of the vehicle. In the drawings, the front of the vehicle is indicated as Fr, the rear as Rr, the left as L, the right as R, the upside as U, and the downside as D. The left-right direction is also referred to as the vehicle width direction.

[0012] (vehicle) FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 1 equipped with a battery pack 7 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle such as a battery-powered electric vehicle. The vehicle 1 is divided into a passenger compartment 10 and a front room 20 in front of it by a floor panel 2 and a dash panel 3. The passenger compartment 10 is provided with a front seat 11 and a rear seat 12.

[0013] A drive unit 6 is provided below the floor panel 2 behind the rear seat 12. Although not shown, the drive unit 6 includes a motor, a PCU (Power Control Unit) that controls the motor, and a power transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the motor to the rear wheels 5. The drive unit 6 drives the left and right rear wheels 5. In the vehicle 1, the left and right rear wheels 5 are drive wheels, and the left and right front wheels 4 are driven wheels.

[0014] A battery pack 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed below the vehicle interior 10. The battery pack 7 is disposed below the floor panel 2 in the vehicle interior 10. Details of the battery pack 7 will be described later.

[0015] A cooling device 21 that cools the battery pack 7 and the like is provided in the front room 20. The cooling device 21 includes a radiator provided at the very front of the vehicle 1. The cooling device 21 and the battery pack 7 are connected via an outer supply pipe 22 and an outer discharge pipe 23. An electric pump (not shown) is provided in the outer supply pipe 22 or the outer discharge pipe 23.

[0016] (battery pack) Next, the battery pack 7 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 10. The battery pack 7 includes a battery case 30, a plurality of battery modules 31, and a battery cooling mechanism 40.

[0017] 2, the battery case 30 houses a plurality of battery modules 31 and a battery cooling mechanism 40. The battery case 30 has a case main body 300 on which the plurality of battery modules 31 and the battery cooling mechanism 40 are placed, and a cover (not shown) that covers the case main body 300 from above.

[0018] The multiple battery modules 31 store power to be supplied to the drive unit 6, which serves as a drive source for the vehicle 1. The multiple battery modules 31 are mounted in the battery case 30 with their longitudinal direction aligned in the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, eight battery modules 31 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction and three in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., a total of 24 battery modules 31 are arranged. In the following description, the eight battery modules located in the front row will be referred to as 31A, the eight battery modules located in the rear row will be referred to as 31C, and the eight battery modules located between battery modules 31A and 31C, i.e., in the center, will be referred to as battery modules 31B. The number of battery modules 31 is arbitrary, as long as at least two are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction and at least two in the front-to-rear direction.

[0019] Between battery module 31A and battery module 31B, and between battery module 31B and battery module 31C, cross members (not shown) are provided, extending in the left-right direction from the left wall to the right wall of case body 300. Wiring components 36 are provided on the upper part of the cross members. The wiring components 36 include, for example, bus bars that connect battery modules 31 and an ECU connector unit that connects to a battery ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that is not shown. A junction board 37 is also provided on the upper part of a part of the rearmost battery module 31C. Various wiring is mounted on the junction board 37, and the junction board 37 is electrically connected to external devices that are not shown.

[0020] 5, the plurality of battery modules 31 are supported by battery support brackets 302 provided on the bottom surface of the case body 300. The battery support brackets 302 form a space between the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery modules 31 and the bottom surface of the case body 300 in which a battery cooling unit 41 (described later) can be placed.

[0021] The battery cooling mechanism 40 cools the plurality of battery modules 31. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the battery cooling mechanism 40 includes a plurality of battery cooling units 41, a distribution pipe 42, and a collection pipe 43.

[0022] A refrigerant (e.g., cooling water) flows through the plurality of battery cooling units 41 to cool the plurality of battery modules 31. Eight battery cooling units 41 are provided and are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction. Each battery cooling unit 41 is arranged below three battery modules 31 arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, namely, battery modules 31A, 31B, and 31C (see FIG. 5).

[0023] 2 to 4, the distribution pipe 42 is disposed forward of the plurality of battery modules 31, and distributes the refrigerant to the plurality of battery cooling units 41. The distribution pipe 42 has an outer connection part 421 connected to the outer supply pipe 22, and a plurality of inner connection parts 422 connected to the plurality of battery cooling units 41, respectively. The refrigerant is introduced into the distribution pipe 42 from the outer connection part 421, and the refrigerant is distributed to the plurality of battery cooling units 41 from the inner connection part 422.

[0024] The collecting pipe 43 is disposed rearward of the plurality of battery modules 31 and collects the refrigerant discharged from the plurality of battery cooling units 41. The collecting pipe 43 has an outer connection portion 431 connected to the outer discharge pipe 23 and a plurality of inner connection portions 432 connected to the plurality of battery cooling units 41, respectively. The refrigerant discharged from the plurality of battery cooling units 41 is introduced into the collecting pipe 43 from the inner connection portion 432, and the refrigerant is discharged from the outer connection portion 431 to the outer discharge pipe 23. The refrigerant discharged from the collecting pipe 43 to the outer discharge pipe 23 is cooled by the cooling device 21, and then passes through the outer supply pipe 22 and the distribution pipe 42 to be supplied again to the plurality of battery cooling units 41.

[0025] (Battery cooling section) Next, a detailed description will be given of each battery cooling unit 41. Each battery cooling unit 41 includes a refrigerant jacket 50, a supply pipe 60, and a discharge pipe 70. Each battery cooling unit 41 has the same configuration.

[0026] The refrigerant jacket 50 has a flat shape that is short in the vertical direction. The refrigerant jacket 50 is disposed below the three battery modules 31 (i.e., battery modules 31A, 31B, and 31C) that are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction, and cools the three battery modules 31. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, the refrigerant jacket 50 is disposed below the battery modules 31 via a heat transfer member 91. The refrigerant jacket 50 extends in the front-to-rear direction along the lower surfaces of the three battery modules 31, and the battery modules 31 are cooled by heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant jacket 50 and the battery modules 31.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 to 4 and 7 to 10, the refrigerant jacket 50 has a supply port 51 and a discharge port 52 provided in a central portion 50c in the front-to-rear direction. The supply port 51 and the discharge port 52 open downward. The supply port 51 and the discharge port 52 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction and the front-to-rear direction. The supply port 51 is connected to a supply pipe 60 and is a refrigerant inlet that introduces refrigerant from the supply pipe 60 into the refrigerant jacket 50. The discharge port 52 is connected to a discharge pipe 70 and is a refrigerant outlet that discharges refrigerant from the refrigerant jacket 50 to the discharge pipe 70.

[0028] Furthermore, a plurality of flow paths 53 extending in the front-rear direction are formed inside the refrigerant jacket 50. The refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant jacket 50 from the supply port 51 flows through the plurality of flow paths 53 and is discharged from the discharge port 52.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the supply pipe 60 is connected to the refrigerant jacket 50 and the distribution pipe 42, and supplies the refrigerant to the refrigerant jacket 50. The supply pipe 60 has a flat shape that is short in the vertical direction. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the supply pipe 60 is disposed below the refrigerant jacket 50, and is connected to the supply port 51 provided in the center 50c of the refrigerant jacket 50, as described above. Specifically, an opening 61 that opens upward is provided on the upper surface of the supply pipe 60, and the opening 61 is connected to the supply port 51 of the refrigerant jacket 50. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the supply pipe 60 is supported by a pipe support bracket 63 connected to the lower surface of the refrigerant jacket 50. Although not shown, a plurality of pipe support brackets 63 are provided, and support the supply pipe 60 extending in the front-rear direction from below.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, the discharge pipe 70 is connected to the refrigerant jacket 50 and the collecting pipe 43, and discharges the refrigerant from the refrigerant jacket 50. The discharge pipe 70 has a flat shape that is short in the vertical direction. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the discharge pipe 70 is disposed below the refrigerant jacket 50, and is connected to the discharge port 52 provided in the center portion 50c of the refrigerant jacket 50, as described above. Specifically, an opening 71 that opens upward is provided on the upper surface of the discharge pipe 70, and the opening 71 is connected to the discharge port 52 of the refrigerant jacket 50. Although not shown, the discharge pipe 70 is supported by a pipe support bracket connected to the lower surface of the refrigerant jacket 50, similar to the supply pipe 60. A plurality of these pipe support brackets are provided, and they support the discharge pipes 70 extending in the front-rear direction from below.

[0031] 3, the refrigerant flowing through the supply pipe 60 is introduced into the refrigerant jacket 50 from a supply port 51 provided in the central portion 50c, and then flows from the central portion 50c of the refrigerant jacket 50 toward the front end portion 50f and the rear end portion 50r, cooling the three battery modules 31 arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The refrigerant is discharged from an outlet 52 provided in the central portion 50c to the discharge pipe 70. Because the supply port 51 and the outlet 52 are provided in the central portion 50c of the refrigerant jacket 50, the three battery modules 31 arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction can be cooled evenly, and temperature variations therein can be suppressed.

[0032] Furthermore, because the supply pipes 60 and the discharge pipes 70 have a flat shape that is short in the vertical direction, the supply pipes 60 and the discharge pipes 70 can be arranged in a narrow space below the battery modules 31. With this configuration, the supply pipes 60 and the discharge pipes 70 do not interfere with the battery modules 31, the wiring components 36, etc., improving the layout flexibility inside the battery pack 7. Furthermore, because the supply pipes 60 and the discharge pipes 70 are arranged below the battery modules 31, even if the supply pipes 60 and the discharge pipes 70 are damaged and cause a refrigerant leak, the refrigerant can be prevented from splashing onto the battery modules 31, the wiring components 36, etc.

[0033] Furthermore, as described above, the supply pipe 60 and the refrigerant jacket 50 are connected by connecting the opening 61 on the top surface of the supply pipe 60 to the supply port 51 of the refrigerant jacket 50, which makes it possible to reduce the vertical height of the connection between the refrigerant jacket 50 and the supply pipe 60. Similarly, the discharge pipe 70 has an opening 71 on the top surface of the discharge pipe 70 connected to the discharge port 52 of the refrigerant jacket 50, which makes it possible to reduce the vertical height of the connection between the refrigerant jacket 50 and the discharge pipe 70.

[0034] Next, the flow of the refrigerant inside the refrigerant jacket 50 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3 and 7 to 10. The refrigerant jacket 50 has a front flow path 54 and a rear flow path 55.

[0035] 3, the front-side flow path 54 allows refrigerant introduced through the supply port 51 provided in the central portion 50c to flow to the front end portion 50f, then turns back at the front end portion 50f and flows from the front end portion 50f to the discharge port 52 provided in the central portion 50c. Specifically, the front-side flow path 54 has a generally U-shape in top view and includes an upstream straight flow path 541 extending from the supply port 51 in the central portion 50c to the front end portion 50f, a downstream straight flow path 542 extending from the discharge port 52 in the central portion 50c to the front end portion 50f, and a turning portion 543 connecting the upstream straight flow path 541 and the downstream straight flow path 542 to change the refrigerant flow from a forward direction to a rearward direction. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the boundary between the upstream straight flow path 541 and the downstream straight flow path 542 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0036] In this embodiment, the front flow path 54 cools the frontmost battery module 31A and the central battery module 31B among the three battery modules 31A, 31B, and 31C arranged side by side in the front-rear direction.

[0037] 3, the rear flow path 55 allows refrigerant introduced through the supply port 51 provided in the central portion 50c to flow to the rear end portion 50r, then turns back at the rear end portion 50r and flows from the rear end portion 50r to the discharge port 52 provided in the central portion 50c. Specifically, the rear flow path 55 has a generally U-shape in top view and includes an upstream straight flow path 551 extending from the supply port 51 in the central portion 50c to the rear end portion 50r, a downstream straight flow path 552 extending from the discharge port 52 in the central portion 50c to the rear end portion 50r, and a turn-back portion 553 connecting the upstream straight flow path 551 and the downstream straight flow path 552 to change the flow of refrigerant from a rearward direction to a forward direction. In FIG. 9, the boundary between the upstream straight flow path 551 and the downstream straight flow path 552 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0038] In this embodiment, the rear flow passage 55 cools the central battery module 31B and the rearmost battery module 31C among the three battery modules 31A, 31B, and 31C arranged side by side in the front-rear direction.

[0039] In this way, since the refrigerant jacket 50 has a front flow path 54 and a rear flow path 55 that are approximately U-shaped when viewed from above, the three battery modules 31A, 31B, and 31C arranged in a line in the front-to-rear direction can be cooled evenly, and temperature variations among these modules can be suppressed.

[0040] 8, a gap G1 is formed between the refrigerant jacket 50 and the supply pipe 60. A step 58 is provided around the supply port 51 of the refrigerant jacket 50, and the step 58 around the supply port 51 and the upper surface of the supply pipe 60 come into contact with each other, thereby forming the gap G1.

[0041] The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant jacket 50 exchanges heat with the battery modules 31, and is therefore heated while flowing through the refrigerant jacket 50. A gap G1 is formed between the refrigerant jacket 50 and the supply pipe 60, which prevents the refrigerant flowing through the supply pipe 60 from exchanging heat with the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant jacket 50 and being heated.

[0042] 10, a gap G2 is also formed between the refrigerant jacket 50 and the discharge pipe 70. A step 59 is provided around the discharge port 52 of the refrigerant jacket 50, and the step 59 around the discharge port 52 comes into contact with the upper surface of the discharge pipe 70, thereby forming the gap G2.

[0043] The refrigerant heated in the refrigerant jacket 50 flows through the discharge pipe 70. A gap G2 is formed between the refrigerant jacket 50 and the discharge pipe 70, so that the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant jacket 50 can be prevented from being heated by heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing through the discharge pipe 70.

[0044] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above embodiment may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0045] For example, in the embodiment described above, the distribution pipes 42 are arranged in front of the battery modules 31 and the collecting pipes 43 are arranged behind the battery modules 31, but this is not limited thereto, and the distribution pipes 42 may be arranged behind the battery modules 31 and the collecting pipes 43 may be arranged in front of the battery modules 31. In this case, the supply pipes 60 are arranged behind the central portion 50c of the refrigerant jacket 50, and the discharge pipes 70 are arranged in front of the central portion 50c of the refrigerant jacket 50.

[0046] This specification describes at least the following: In parentheses, components corresponding to those in the above-described embodiments are shown as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0047] (1) A battery pack (battery pack 7) mounted on a vehicle (vehicle 1), a battery case (battery case 30); A plurality of battery modules (battery modules 31) are placed in the battery case so that their longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and are arranged side by side, with at least two battery modules in the vehicle width direction and at least two battery modules in the front-rear direction; a plurality of battery cooling units (battery cooling units 41) through which a refrigerant flows and which are arranged below the at least two battery modules (battery modules 31A, 31B, 31C) arranged side by side in the front-rear direction; a distribution pipe (distribution pipe 42) disposed on one side of the plurality of battery modules in the front-rear direction and distributing the refrigerant to the plurality of battery cooling sections; a collection pipe (collection pipe 43) that is arranged on the other side of the plurality of battery modules in the front-rear direction and collects the refrigerant discharged from the plurality of battery cooling units, Each battery cooling unit is a refrigerant jacket (refrigerant jacket 50) that cools the at least two battery modules arranged side by side in the front-rear direction; a supply pipe (supply pipe 60) connected to the refrigerant jacket and the distribution pipe for supplying the refrigerant to the refrigerant jacket; a discharge pipe (discharge pipe 70) connected to the refrigerant jacket and the collecting pipe and discharging the refrigerant from the refrigerant jacket, The refrigerant jacket, the supply pipe, and the discharge pipe have a flat shape that is short in the vertical direction, the supply pipe is disposed below the refrigerant jacket and is connected to a supply port (supply port 51) provided in a central portion (central portion 50c) of the refrigerant jacket in the front-rear direction, The discharge pipe is disposed below the refrigerant jacket and is connected to a discharge port (discharge port 52) ​​provided in the center of the refrigerant jacket. Battery pack.

[0048] According to (1), since the supply port and the discharge port are provided in the center of the refrigerant jacket, multiple battery modules arranged in a line in the front-to-rear direction can be cooled evenly, and temperature variations among them can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the supply pipes and the discharge pipes are arranged below the refrigerant jacket, they do not interfere with the battery modules or the connecting members that connect them, and the layout inside the battery pack can be improved.

[0049] (2) The battery pack according to (1), The refrigerant jacket is a front-side flow path (front-side flow path 54) that allows the refrigerant introduced from the supply port provided in the central portion to flow to a front end portion (front end portion 50f), turns back at the front end portion, and flows the refrigerant from the front end portion to the discharge port provided in the central portion; a rear-side flow path (rear-side flow path 55) that allows the refrigerant introduced from the supply port provided in the central portion to flow to a rear end portion (rear end portion 50r), turns back at the rear end portion, and allows the refrigerant to flow from the rear end portion to the discharge port provided in the central portion, Battery pack.

[0050] According to (2), it is possible to suppress the temperature variation of the plurality of battery modules arranged in a row in the front-rear direction.

[0051] (3) The battery pack according to (2), The battery modules are arranged in three rows in the front-rear direction, The front flow path of the refrigerant jacket cools a front-row battery module (battery module 31A) and a central battery module (battery module 31B) among the three battery modules arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, The rear flow path of the refrigerant jacket cools the central battery module and the rearmost battery module (battery module 31C) among the three battery modules arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. Battery pack.

[0052] According to (3), it is possible to suppress the temperature variation among the three battery modules arranged in a row in the front-to-rear direction.

[0053] (4) A battery pack according to any one of (1) to (3), The supply port of the refrigerant jacket opens downward, An opening (opening 61) that opens upward and is connected to the supply port of the refrigerant jacket is provided on the upper surface of the supply pipe. Battery pack.

[0054] According to (4), the vertical height of the connection portion between the refrigerant jacket and the supply pipe can be reduced.

[0055] (5) A battery pack according to any one of (1) to (4), The outlet of the refrigerant jacket opens downward, An opening (opening 71) that opens upward and is connected to the outlet port of the refrigerant jacket is provided on the upper surface of the discharge pipe. Battery pack.

[0056] According to (5), the vertical height of the connection portion between the refrigerant jacket and the discharge pipe can be reduced.

[0057] (6) A battery pack according to any one of (1) to (5), A gap (gap G1) is formed between the refrigerant jacket and the supply pipe. Battery pack.

[0058] According to (6), heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the supply pipe and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant jacket that has been heated through heat exchange with the battery module is suppressed, thereby suppressing heating of the refrigerant before it is introduced into the refrigerant jacket.

[0059] (7) A battery pack according to any one of (1) to (6), A gap (gap G2) is formed between the refrigerant jacket and the discharge pipe. Battery pack.

[0060] According to (7), heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the discharge pipe and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant jacket is suppressed, thereby suppressing the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant jacket from being heated by heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing through the discharge pipe. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 vehicle 7 Battery pack 30 Battery case 31, 31A, 31B, 31C Battery Modules 41 Battery cooling section 42 Distribution piping 43 Centralized piping 50 Refrigerant jacket 50c central part 50f front end 50r rear end 51 Supply port 52 Outlet 54 Front flow passage 55 Rear flow passage 60 Supply piping 61 Opening 70 Discharge piping 71 Opening G1 Gap G2 gap

Claims

1. A battery pack mounted on a vehicle, A battery case; A plurality of battery modules are placed in the battery case such that a longitudinal direction of the battery modules is the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the battery modules are arranged side by side, with at least two battery modules in the vehicle width direction and at least two battery modules in the front-rear direction; a plurality of battery cooling units through which a refrigerant flows and which are disposed below the at least two battery modules arranged side by side in the front-rear direction; a distribution pipe disposed on one side of the plurality of battery modules in the front-rear direction and configured to distribute the refrigerant to the plurality of battery cooling sections; a collection pipe disposed on the other side of the battery modules in the front-rear direction and collecting the refrigerant discharged from the battery cooling units; Each battery cooling unit is a refrigerant jacket that cools the at least two battery modules arranged side by side in the front-rear direction; a supply pipe connected to the refrigerant jacket and the distribution pipe for supplying the refrigerant to the refrigerant jacket; a discharge pipe connected to the refrigerant jacket and the collecting pipe and configured to discharge the refrigerant from the refrigerant jacket, The refrigerant jacket, the supply pipe, and the discharge pipe each have a flat shape that is short in the vertical direction, the supply pipe is disposed below the refrigerant jacket and is connected to a supply port provided at a center portion of the refrigerant jacket in the front-rear direction, The exhaust pipe is disposed below the refrigerant jacket and is connected to an exhaust port provided in the center of the refrigerant jacket. Battery pack.

2. 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, The refrigerant jacket is a front flow path that allows the refrigerant introduced from the supply port provided in the central portion to flow to a front end portion, turns around at the front end portion, and flows the refrigerant from the front end portion to the discharge port provided in the central portion; a rear side flow path that allows the coolant introduced from the supply port provided in the central portion to flow to a rear end portion, turns around at the rear end portion, and allows the coolant to flow from the rear end portion to the discharge port provided in the central portion, Battery pack.

3. 3. The battery pack according to claim 2, The battery modules are arranged in three in the front-rear direction, The front flow path of the refrigerant jacket cools a front row battery module and a central battery module among three battery modules arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, The rear flow passage of the refrigerant jacket cools the central battery module and the rearmost battery module among the three battery modules arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. Battery pack.

4. 4. The battery pack according to claim 1, The supply port of the refrigerant jacket opens downward, An opening portion is provided on an upper surface of the supply pipe, the opening portion being open upward and connected to the supply port of the refrigerant jacket. Battery pack.

5. 4. The battery pack according to claim 1, The outlet of the refrigerant jacket opens downward, An opening portion is provided on an upper surface of the exhaust pipe, the opening portion being open upward and connected to the exhaust port of the refrigerant jacket. Battery pack.

6. 4. The battery pack according to claim 1, A gap is formed between the refrigerant jacket and the supply pipe. Battery pack.

7. 4. The battery pack according to claim 1, A gap is formed between the refrigerant jacket and the discharge pipe. Battery pack.

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