Battery module

Abstract

To provide a technique effective for improving the degree of freedom of heat exchange characteristics between a battery and a cooling pipe in a battery module in which each of a plurality of batteries is sandwiched between cooling pipes for cooling.SOLUTION: A battery module 101 includes: a plurality of batteries 10 arranged with a gap S in a first direction X; and a cooling pipe 20 that cools the plurality of batteries 10. The cooling pipe 20 includes: heat exchange portions 21 interposed in the gap S, and communicating portions 24 that each connect the ends of the two heat exchange portions 21, and is configured by combining the plurality of heat exchanging portions 21 and the plurality of communicating portions 24. The plurality of heat exchanging portions 21 includes heat exchanging portions 21A, 21B, and 21C having flow passage cross-sectional areas of refrigerant flow passages 22 and 23 that are different from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a power storage module having a plurality of power storage cells as batteries and heat transfer plates in contact with each power storage cell. In this power storage module, a plurality of refrigerant flow paths through which refrigerant flows are formed inside the heat transfer plate, and each power storage cell is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above power storage module is configured such that the cross-sectional area of the flow path inside the heat transfer plate is uniform, and the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant flow path of the heat transfer plate at a set constant flow rate. In this case, since the temperature control of the power storage cells is possible only by adjusting the refrigerant inflow amount, there is a problem that it is difficult to control the temperatures of the plurality of power storage cells to be uniform or to control each power storage cell to a desired temperature. Therefore, in the design of this type of battery module, high-degree-of-freedom heat exchange characteristics that enable individual control of the temperatures of a plurality of batteries are required.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and in a battery module in which each of a plurality of batteries is sandwiched between cooling pipes and cooled, it is intended to provide an effective technique for improving the degree of freedom of heat exchange characteristics between the battery and the cooling pipe.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a plurality of batteries (10) arranged with a gap (S) therebetween in the thickness direction (X), a cooling pipe (20) for cooling the plurality of batteries, and the cooling pipe has a heat exchange portion (21) interposed in the gap and a communication portion (24) connecting the ends of the two heat exchange portions, and is configured by combining the plurality of heat exchange portions and the plurality of communication portions. The plurality of heat exchange portions include heat exchange portions (21A, 21B, 21C) having different flow path cross-sectional areas of refrigerant flow paths (22, 23). and the cooling pipe cools the inner disposed batteries (10B) located in the intermediate region in the thickness direction among the plurality of batteries with the heat exchange part having a relatively large flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path among the plurality of heat exchange parts, and cools the outer disposed batteries (10A) located outside the intermediate region in the thickness direction with the heat exchange part having a relatively small flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path among the plurality of heat exchange parts; Battery module (102)、 is as follows. Moreover, another aspect of the present invention is a plurality of batteries (10) arranged with a gap (S) in the thickness direction (X), a cooling pipe (20) for cooling the plurality of batteries, and includes the cooling pipe has a heat exchange part (21) interposed in the gap and a communication part (24) connecting the ends of the two heat exchange parts, and is configured by combining the plurality of heat exchange parts and the plurality of communication parts, and the plurality of heat exchange parts include heat exchange parts (21A, 21B, 21C) having different flow path cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths (22, 23); in the heat exchange part of the cooling pipe, a forward refrigerant flow path (22) and a reverse refrigerant flow path (23) partitioned so that the refrigerant flow directions (D1, D2) are opposite to each other are provided, battery modules (101, 102, 103, 104); is as follows. Furthermore, still another aspect of the present invention is a plurality of batteries (10) arranged with a gap (S) in the thickness direction (X), a cooling pipe (20) for cooling the plurality of batteries, and includes the cooling pipe has a heat exchange part (21) interposed in the gap and a communication part (24) connecting the ends of the two heat exchange parts, and is configured by combining the plurality of heat exchange parts and the plurality of communication parts, and the plurality of heat exchange parts include heat exchange parts (21A, 21B, 21C) having different flow path cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths (22, 23); the cooling pipe is configured to connect the plurality of heat exchange parts in parallel via the plurality of communication parts, battery module (103); is as follows.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] In the battery module of the above aspect, each of the plurality of batteries is arranged with a gap in the thickness direction. The cooling pipe for cooling the plurality of batteries is configured by combining a plurality of heat exchange portions and a plurality of communication portions. Each heat exchange portion is interposed in the gap between two batteries to sandwich the battery and perform heat exchange for cooling with the battery. By connecting the ends of two heat exchange portions with each communication portion, a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant continuously flows is formed in the plurality of heat exchange portions.

[0008] By providing heat exchange portions having different flow path cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow path among the plurality of heat exchange portions, the heat exchange characteristics between the battery and the heat exchange portion can be individually controlled. Thereby, compared with a structure in which the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path of the heat exchange portion is made uniform, heat exchange characteristics with a high degree of freedom capable of individually controlling the temperatures of the plurality of batteries can be obtained. Therefore, control for suppressing the temperature difference so that the temperatures of the plurality of batteries become uniform and control for adjusting each battery to a desired temperature become possible.

[0009] As described above, according to the above aspect, in a battery module in which each of a plurality of batteries is sandwiched and cooled by a cooling pipe, it is possible to provide a technique effective for improving the degree of freedom of heat exchange characteristics between the battery and the cooling pipe.

[0010] Note that the reference numerals in parentheses described in the claims and the means for solving the problems indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments described later, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

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Figure 8

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Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the battery module will be described with reference to the drawings. This battery module is used as a power source for electric equipment and is typically suitably used as a drive source for a motor mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0013] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the first direction which is the thickness direction of the battery constituting the battery module is indicated by arrow X, the second direction which is the width direction of the battery is indicated by arrow Y, and the third direction which is the height direction of the battery is indicated by arrow Z.

[0014] Also, since the position and orientation of the battery module change according to its mounting situation, the up and down of the battery module are not particularly limited. However, in the related drawings, for convenience, the side where the terminals are provided on the battery is defined as the upper side in the height direction of the battery module, and the opposite side is defined as the lower side in the height direction of the battery module.

[0015] (Embodiment 1) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery module 101 of Embodiment 1 includes a plurality of batteries 10, a cooling pipe 20, and a restraint portion 30.

[0016] The plurality of batteries 10 are configured as a battery structure in which gaps S are provided in the first direction X, which is the thickness direction of the battery 10. In this battery structure, the plurality of batteries 10 are stacked in the first direction X with gaps S therebetween. For this reason, the first direction X can also be referred to as the "stacking direction". A gap S is formed between two adjacent batteries 10 in the first direction X, and the heat exchange portion 21 (see FIG. 2) of the cooling pipe 20 is interposed in each gap S.

[0017] The battery 10 is a flat plate-like member (a box-like member having a rectangular cross-sectional shape) with a uniform thickness in the first direction X. The battery 10 includes a pair of terminals 51 that protrude upward from the upper part of the exterior case. The battery 10 is electrically connected to an external device (not shown) through the pair of terminals 51. The plurality of batteries 10 have the same shape as each other.

[0018] Note that the number of batteries 10 constituting the battery structure is not particularly limited, and an appropriate number of batteries 10 can be used. In order to increase the power storage capacity of the battery module 101, it is preferable to increase the number of batteries 10. The type of the battery 10 is not particularly limited. As an example, a lithium ion secondary battery that performs charging and discharging by the movement of lithium ions between the positive electrode and the negative electrode can be used as the battery 10.

[0019] The cooling pipe 20 is a cooler that cools the plurality of batteries 10, and is configured such that a refrigerant can flow through the pipe. The cooling pipe 20 is configured to form a meandering shape by combining a plurality of heat exchange portions 21 and a plurality of communication portions 24. The cooling pipe 20 is configured to connect the plurality of heat exchange portions 21 in series via the plurality of communication portions 24. Thereby, the refrigerant flow paths of the plurality of heat exchange portions 21 are made to be in series.

[0020] The cooling pipe 20 is made of a metal material containing stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel, or the like. In order to improve the cooling performance of the battery 10, it is preferable to use a metal material having a high thermal conductivity for the material of the cooling pipe 20.

[0021] The heat exchange part 21 is a part that is interposed in the gap S between the two batteries 10 among the respective parts of the cooling pipe 20. The communication part 24 is a part that extends in a curved shape so as to connect the ends of two adjacent heat exchange parts 21 among the respective parts of the cooling pipe 20. The inner diameter of the communication part 24 (the dimension of twice the radius of curvature of the inner peripheral surface) substantially matches the interval in the first direction X between two adjacent heat exchange parts 21.

[0022] The communication part 24 is preferably configured as a separate component independent of the heat exchange part 21 and is joined to the heat exchange part 21 by retrofitting. In the case of this configuration, the joining method between the heat exchange part 21 and the communication part 24 is not particularly limited, and various joining methods such as welding and adhesion can be used.

[0023] Note that the "curved shape" mentioned here widely includes not only a form that curves in a curved shape like a bow but also a form that bends so as to be bent at a substantially right angle.

[0024] The refrigerant flowing in the cooling pipe 20 is not particularly limited, but typically, natural refrigerants such as water and ammonia, water mixed with an ethylene glycol-based antifreeze, fluorocarbon-based refrigerants such as Florinate (registered trademark), chlorofluorocarbon-based refrigerants such as HCFC123 and HFC134a, alcohol-based refrigerants such as methanol and alcohol, and ketone-based refrigerants such as acetone are preferably used.

[0025] The restraining part 30 is for integrally restraining the plurality of batteries 10 and the cooling pipe 20 in the first direction X. The restraining part 30 includes two end plates 31, 32 and a connecting band 33.

[0026] The two end plates 31 and 32 are arranged in parallel with each other with the cooling pipe 20 sandwiched therebetween. At this time, the end plate 31 is a plate-shaped member having the first direction X as the thickness direction, and is in contact with the heat exchange portion 21 on one end side of the cooling pipe 20 in the first direction X. Further, the end plate 32 is a plate-shaped member similar to the end plate 31, and is in contact with the heat exchange portion 21 on the other end side of the cooling pipe 20 in the first direction X. Both of the two end plates 31 and 32 are configured such that the width dimension in the second direction Y exceeds the width dimension of the battery 10 in the second direction Y.

[0027] The connecting band 33 is for connecting both end portions of the end plate 31 and the end plate 32 in the second direction Y, and extends in the first direction X. The connecting band 33 is made of a material that can be elastically deformed in the first direction X. Thereby, the connecting band 33 elastically biases the two end plates 31 and 32 so as to approach each other. As a result, the cooling pipe 20 is compressed in the first direction X by receiving a restraint load F (see FIG. 2) from the two end plates 31 and 32. As the restraint load F by the connecting band 33 increases, the restraint force between the plurality of batteries 10 and the cooling pipe 20 increases, and the adhesion between each battery 10 and the cooling pipe 20 increases.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the present embodiment, the plurality of heat exchange portions 21 of the cooling pipe 20 include a first heat exchange portion 21A on one end side in the first direction X, a third heat exchange portion 21C on the other end side in the first direction X, and a plurality (nine in the present embodiment) of second heat exchange portions 21B located between the first heat exchange portion 21A and the third heat exchange portion 21C.

[0029] An inlet 20a and an outlet 20b are provided in the first heat exchange portion 21A. The inlet 20a is an opening through which the refrigerant flows into the cooling pipe 20, and is the most upstream region of the refrigerant flow path in the cooling pipe 20. The outlet 20b is an opening through which the refrigerant flows out of the cooling pipe 20, and is the most downstream region of the refrigerant flow path in the cooling pipe 20.

[0030] Further, in the present embodiment, among the plurality of communication portions 24 of the cooling pipe 20, there are included a first communication portion 24A that connects the end portions on one end side in the second direction Y of the two heat exchange portions 21, and a second communication portion 24B that connects the end portions on the other end side in the second direction Y of the two heat exchange portions 21.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the internal space of the first heat exchange portion 21A is partitioned into two refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 in which the refrigerant flow directions are opposite to each other. The refrigerant flow path 22 of the first heat exchange portion 21A is a forward refrigerant flow path that communicates with the inlet 20a, and is disposed above the refrigerant flow path 23 in the third direction Z. In this refrigerant flow path 22, the refrigerant flowing in from the inlet 20a flows in the refrigerant flow direction D1 along the second direction Y. The refrigerant flow path 23 of the first heat exchange portion 21A is a reverse refrigerant flow path that communicates with the outlet 20b, and is disposed below the refrigerant flow path 22 in the third direction Z. In this refrigerant flow path 23, the refrigerant flows toward the outlet 20b in a refrigerant flow direction D2 opposite to that of the refrigerant flow path 22. When the third direction Z is the vertical direction, the first heat exchange portion 21A is provided with upper and lower two-stage refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23.

[0032] Also, the internal space of the first communication portion 24A is partitioned into two refrigerant flow paths 25 and 26. The refrigerant flow path 25 of the first communication portion 24A is a flow path that communicates with the refrigerant flow path 22 of the first heat exchange portion 21A, and is disposed above the refrigerant flow path 26 in the third direction Z. In this refrigerant flow path 25, the refrigerant flowing in from the refrigerant flow path 22 of the first heat exchange portion 21A flows. The refrigerant flow path 26 of the first communication portion 24A is a flow path that communicates with the refrigerant flow path 23 of the first heat exchange portion 21A, and is disposed below the refrigerant flow path 25 in the third direction Z. In this refrigerant flow path 26, the refrigerant flows in a direction opposite to that of the refrigerant flow path 25, toward the refrigerant flow path 23 of the first heat exchange portion 21A. The first communication portion 24A is provided with upper and lower two-stage refrigerant flow paths 25 and 26, similar to the first heat exchange portion 21A.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the first heat exchange part 21A has a heat exchange surface HE indicated by hatching for convenience. The first heat exchange part 21A is configured to be in direct surface contact with a cooled surface 12 that is an opposing surface of the battery 10 in the first direction X at the heat exchange surface HE. The cooled surface 12 of the battery 10 is cooled by heat exchange with the heat exchange surface HE of the first heat exchange part 21A.

[0034] The heat exchange surface HE is a contact surface that contacts the cooled surface 12 of the battery 10 with a surface pressure equal to or higher than a certain surface pressure. As the ratio of the area occupied by the heat exchange surface HE among the opposing surfaces (surfaces capable of contacting the battery 10) of the first heat exchange part 21A with respect to the battery 10 increases, the adhesion rate of the first heat exchange part 21A with respect to the battery 10 increases.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the internal space of the second heat exchange part 21B is partitioned into two refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 similar to those in the case of the first heat exchange part 21A. Also, the internal space of the second communication part 24B is partitioned into two refrigerant flow paths 25 and 26 similar to those in the case of the first communication part 24A. The refrigerant flow path 22 of the second heat exchange part 21B has its upstream side communicating with the refrigerant flow path 25 of the first communication part 24A and its downstream side communicating with the refrigerant flow path 25 of the second communication part 24B. In this refrigerant flow path 22, the refrigerant flowing in from the refrigerant flow path 25 of the first communication part 24A flows in the refrigerant flow direction D1 toward the refrigerant flow path 25 of the second communication part 24B. The refrigerant flow path 23 of the second heat exchange part 21B has its upstream side communicating with the refrigerant flow path 26 of the second communication part 24B and its downstream side communicating with the refrigerant flow path 26 of the first communication part 24A. In this refrigerant flow path 23, the refrigerant flowing in from the refrigerant flow path 26 of the second communication part 24B flows in the refrigerant flow direction D2 toward the refrigerant flow path 26 of the first communication part 24A.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, the second heat exchange part 21B is configured to be in surface contact with the cooled surface 12 of the battery 10 at the heat exchange surface HE, similar to the case of the first heat exchange part 21A. The cooled surface 12 of the battery 10 is cooled by heat exchange with the heat exchange surface HE of the second heat exchange part 21B.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the internal space of the third heat exchange section 21C is partitioned into two refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 similar to those of the first heat exchange section 21A, and a refrigerant flow path 27 for reversing the refrigerant flow direction. The refrigerant flow path 22 of the third heat exchange section 21C has its upstream side communicating with the refrigerant flow path 25 of the second communication section 24B and its downstream side communicating with the refrigerant flow path 27. In this refrigerant flow path 22, the refrigerant flowing in from the refrigerant flow path 25 of the second communication section 24B flows in the refrigerant flow direction D1 toward the refrigerant flow path 27. The refrigerant flow path 23 of the third heat exchange section 21C has its upstream side communicating with the refrigerant flow path 27 and its downstream side communicating with the refrigerant flow path 26 of the second communication section 24B. In this refrigerant flow path 23, the refrigerant whose flow direction has been reversed after turning back in the refrigerant flow path 27 flows in the refrigerant flow direction D2 toward the second communication section 24B.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 7, the third heat exchange section 21C is configured to be in surface contact with the cooled surface 12 of the battery 10 on the heat exchange surface HE, similarly to the heat exchange sections 21A and 21B. The cooled surface 12 of the battery 10 is cooled by heat exchange with the heat exchange surface HE of the third heat exchange section 21C.

[0039] In the cooling pipe 20 of the present embodiment, since the refrigerant flow path is formed in two upper and lower stages so that the refrigerant flows back in the third heat exchange section 21C, the refrigerant flow path becomes longer and the linear flow velocity of the refrigerant becomes larger than when the refrigerant flow path is in one stage.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 8, each of the heat exchange sections 21A, 21B, and 21C is configured to form the refrigerant flow path 22 by a plurality of divided flow paths 22a divided from each other with a partition wall 22b therebetween, and to form the refrigerant flow path 23 by a plurality of divided flow paths 23a divided from each other with a partition wall 23b therebetween. For convenience, only the divided flow path 22a among the divided flow path 22a and the divided flow path 23a is hatched. According to this configuration, it is effective for increasing the rigidity of the second heat exchange section 21B for the purpose of realizing a strength capable of resisting the expansion of the battery 10 in the first direction X when the battery 10 expands during use.

[0041] The first heat exchange part 21A is configured such that the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 22 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of three divided flow paths 22a, and the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 23 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of five divided flow paths 23a. Each of the seven second heat exchange parts 21B located at the central part in the first direction X is configured such that the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 22 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of four divided flow paths 22a (the cross-sectional area (4 / 3) times that in the case of the first heat exchange part 21A), and the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 23 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of four divided flow paths 23a (the cross-sectional area (4 / 5) times that in the case of the first heat exchange part 21A). The third heat exchange part 21C is configured such that the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 22 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of five divided flow paths 22a (the cross-sectional area (5 / 3) times that in the case of the first heat exchange part 21A), and the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 23 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of three divided flow paths 23a (the cross-sectional area (3 / 5) times that in the case of the first heat exchange part 21A).

[0042] Therefore, when the cross-sectional areas of the plurality of divided flow paths 22a are the same and the cross-sectional areas of the plurality of divided flow paths 23a are the same, the cooling pipe 20 is configured to include the heat exchange parts 21A, 21B, 21C in which the flow path cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 are different from each other in the plurality of heat exchange parts 21 of the cooling pipe 20. The second heat exchange part 21B located at the central part in the first direction X is different from the first heat exchange part 21A and the third heat exchange part 21C in terms of the flow path cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23. Also, the first heat exchange part 21A is different from the third heat exchange part 21C in terms of the flow path cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23. In this cooling pipe 20, the respective shapes and the flow path cross-sectional areas of the plurality of communication parts 24A and 24B are appropriately set according to the flow path cross-sectional area of the heat exchange part 21 connecting the communication part.

[0043] Next, the operation and effects of the above-described Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0044] In the battery module 101 configured as described above, each of the plurality of batteries 10 is arranged with a gap S in the first direction X. The cooling pipe 20 for cooling the plurality of batteries 10 is configured by combining a plurality of heat exchange portions 21 and a plurality of communication portions 24. Each heat exchange portion 21 is interposed in the gap S between two batteries 10 to sandwich the battery 10 and perform heat exchange for cooling with the battery 10. By connecting the ends of two heat exchange portions 21 to each other with each communication portion 24, refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 through which refrigerant continuously flows are formed in the plurality of heat exchange portions 21.

[0045] By providing heat exchange portions 21A, 21B, and 21C having different flow cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 among the plurality of heat exchange portions 21, the heat exchange characteristics between the battery 10 and the heat exchange portion 21 can be individually controlled. As a result, compared with a structure in which the flow cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 of the heat exchange portion 21 are made uniform, highly flexible heat exchange characteristics can be obtained such that the temperatures of the plurality of batteries 10 can be individually controlled. Therefore, control for suppressing the temperature difference so that the temperatures of the plurality of batteries 10 become uniform and control for adjusting each battery 10 to a desired temperature become possible.

[0046] As described above, according to the battery module 101 of the above-described Embodiment 1, the degree of freedom of the heat exchange characteristics between the battery 10 and the cooling pipe 20 can be improved.

[0047] In a modification particularly related to Embodiment 1, all of the second heat exchange portions 21B can adopt a structure different from that of the first heat exchange portion 21A and the third heat exchange portion 21C with respect to the flow cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23. In the case of this structure, all of the second heat exchange portions 21B may be the same with respect to the flow cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23, or may be different from each other with respect to the flow cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23.

[0048] Next, other embodiments related to the above-described Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In other embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements as those described in Embodiment 1, and the description of the same elements is omitted.

[0049] (Embodiment 2) As shown in FIG. 9, the battery module 102 of Embodiment 2 is the same as that of the battery module 101 of Embodiment 1 in that the heat exchange portions 21A, 21B, and 21C having different flow path cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 are included in the plurality of heat exchange portions 21 of the cooling pipe 20.

[0050] That is, both the second heat exchange portion 21B adjacent to the first heat exchange portion 21A and the second heat exchange portion 21B adjacent to the third heat exchange portion 21C are configured such that the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 22 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of six divided flow paths 22a (twice the cross-sectional area in the case of the first heat exchange portion 21A), and the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 23 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of ten divided flow paths 23a (twice the cross-sectional area in the case of the first heat exchange portion 21A). Also, each of the seven second heat exchange portions 21B located at the central portion in the first direction X is configured such that the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 22 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of twelve divided flow paths 22a (three times the cross-sectional area in the case of the first heat exchange portion 21A), and the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 23 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of fifteen divided flow paths 23a (three times the cross-sectional area in the case of the first heat exchange portion 21A). Each second heat exchange portion 21B is different from the first heat exchange portion 21A and the third heat exchange portion 21C in terms of the flow path cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23. Also, the second heat exchange portion 21B located at the central portion in the first direction X is different from the second heat exchange portions 21B located outside thereof in terms of the flow path cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23.

[0051] On the other hand, the battery module 102 of Embodiment 2 is different from that of the battery module 101 of Embodiment 1 in terms of the setting of the flow path cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 in each heat exchange portion 21 of the cooling pipe 20.

[0052] That is, the third heat exchange portion 21C is configured such that the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 22 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of three divided flow paths 22a (the same cross-sectional area as in the case of the first heat exchange portion 21A), and the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 23 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of five divided flow paths 23a (the same cross-sectional area as in the case of the first heat exchange portion 21A).

[0053] The cooling pipe 20 cools the inner - disposed battery 10B in the second heat - exchange part 21B where the flow - path cross - sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 are relatively large among the plurality of heat - exchange parts 21, and cools the outer - disposed battery 10A in the first heat - exchange part 21A and the third heat - exchange part 21C where the flow - path cross - sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 are relatively small among the plurality of heat - exchange parts 21.

[0054] Here, the inner - disposed battery 10B is located in the intermediate region in the first direction X among the plurality of batteries 10, and the outer - disposed battery 10A is located outside the intermediate region in the first direction X among the plurality of batteries 10. Since the inner - disposed battery 10B is covered by other batteries 10 on both sides in the first direction X, the heat - dissipation path is limited compared to the outer - disposed battery 10A, and the temperature tends to be higher.

[0055] Other configurations are the same as those in Embodiment 1.

[0056] According to Embodiment 2, among the plurality of heat - exchange parts 21 of the cooling pipe 20, the cooling capacity of the heat - exchange part 21 responsible for cooling the inner - disposed battery 10B, which is more likely to have a higher temperature than the outer - disposed battery 10A, can be relatively increased. Thereby, the temperature equalization of the plurality of batteries 10 can be achieved.

[0057] In addition, the same operational effects as those in Embodiment 1 are achieved.

[0058] In a modification example particularly related to Embodiment 2, the first heat - exchange part 21A can adopt a structure different from that of the third heat - exchange part 21C with respect to the flow - path cross - sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23.

[0059] (Embodiment 3) As shown in FIG. 10, the battery module 103 of Embodiment 3 is different from that of the battery module 101 of Embodiment 1 in the structure of the communication part 24 of the cooling pipe 20.

[0060] In Embodiment 3, the cooling pipe 20 is configured such that a plurality of first communication portions 24A serve as a refrigerant header commonly connected to one end side of a plurality of heat exchange portions 21 in the second direction Y, and a plurality of second communication portions 24B serve as a refrigerant header commonly connected to the other end side of the plurality of heat exchange portions 21 in the second direction Y. That is, the cooling pipe 20 is configured to connect a plurality of heat exchange portions 21 in parallel via a plurality of communication portions 24. As a result, the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 of the plurality of heat exchange portions 21 are paralleled.

[0061] Other configurations are the same as those in Embodiment 1.

[0062] According to the cooling pipe 20 of Embodiment 3, by paralleling the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 of the plurality of heat exchange portions 21, it is possible to reduce the pressure loss of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 as compared with the case of Embodiment 1.

[0063] In addition, the same operational effects as those in Embodiment 1 are achieved.

[0064] (Embodiment 4) As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the battery module 104 of Embodiment 4 is different from that of the battery module 101 of Embodiment 1 in the respective structures of the heat exchange portion 21 and the communication portion 24 of the cooling pipe 20.

[0065] In the battery module 104, the plurality of first communication portions 24A include those connecting one ends of two adjacent heat exchange portions 21 to each other and those connecting one ends of two non - adjacent heat exchange portions 21 to each other. Similarly, the plurality of first communication portions 24A include those connecting the other ends of two adjacent heat exchange portions 21 to each other and those connecting the other ends of two non - adjacent heat exchange portions 21 to each other.

[0066] All of the plurality of heat exchange portions 21 are configured such that the flow path cross - sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 22 corresponds to four times the cross - sectional area of the divided flow path 22a, and the flow path cross - sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 23 corresponds to four times the cross - sectional area of the divided flow path 23a.

[0067] Other configurations are the same as those in Embodiment 1.

[0068] According to Embodiment 4, compared with the case of Embodiment 1, the order in which the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 of the plurality of heat exchange portions 21 can be changed. By appropriately selecting the connection destinations that connect each of the plurality of communication portions 24 to the heat exchange portion 21, the degree of freedom in the way the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 of the plurality of heat exchange portions 21 can be increased. As a result, control for suppressing the temperature difference so that the temperatures of the plurality of batteries 10 become uniform and control for adjusting each battery 10 to a desired temperature become possible.

[0069] In addition, the same operational effects as those in Embodiment 1 are achieved.

[0070] In a modification particularly related to Embodiment 4, in the cooling pipe 20 of the battery module 104, a structure in which the flow path cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths 22 and 23 are made different among the plurality of heat exchange portions 21 as in the cases of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 can also be adopted.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to only the above-described typical embodiments, and various applications and modifications can be considered without departing from the object of the present invention. For example, the following forms applying the above-described embodiments can also be implemented.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the inside of the cooling pipe 20 has an upper and lower two-stage structure, and the case where the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path on the upper stage side turns back at the downstream portion and flows through the refrigerant flow path on the lower stage side was exemplified. Instead of this, the inside of the cooling pipe 20 may have a one-stage structure.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0073] 10… Battery, 10A… Externally arranged battery, 10B… Internally arranged battery, 20… Cooling pipe, 21… Heat exchange part, 21A… First heat exchange part (heat exchange part), 21B… Second heat exchange part (heat exchange part), 21C… Third heat exchange part (heat exchange part), 22… Forward refrigerant flow path (refrigerant flow path of heat exchange part), 23…… Reverse refrigerant flow path (refrigerant flow path of heat exchange part), 24… Communication part, 24A… First communication part, 24B… Second communication part, 101, 102, 103, 104… Battery modules, D1, D2… Refrigerant flow direction, S… Gap, X… First direction (thickness direction of battery)

Claims

1. A plurality of batteries (10) arranged with a gap (S) therebetween in the thickness direction (X); A cooling pipe (20) for cooling the plurality of batteries; Comprising: The cooling pipe has a heat exchange section (21) interposed in the gap, and a communication section (24) connecting the ends of the two heat exchange sections. A plurality of the heat exchange sections and a plurality of the communication sections are combined to form the cooling pipe. The plurality of heat exchange sections include heat exchange sections (21A, 21B, 21C) having different flow cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths (22, 23). The cooling pipe is configured to cool the inner disposed batteries (10B) located in the middle region in the thickness direction among the plurality of batteries with the heat exchange section having a relatively large flow cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path among the plurality of heat exchange sections, and to cool the outer disposed batteries (10A) located outside the middle region in the thickness direction with the heat exchange section having a relatively small flow cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path among the plurality of heat exchange sections. A battery module (102).

2. A plurality of batteries (10) arranged with a gap (S) therebetween in the thickness direction (X); A cooling pipe (20) for cooling the plurality of batteries; Comprising: The cooling pipe has a heat exchange section (21) interposed in the gap, and a communication section (24) connecting the ends of the two heat exchange sections. A plurality of the heat exchange sections and a plurality of the communication sections are combined to form the cooling pipe. The plurality of heat exchange sections include heat exchange sections (21A, 21B, 21C) having different flow cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths (22, 23). In the heat exchange section of the cooling pipe, a forward refrigerant flow path (22) and a reverse refrigerant flow path (23) are provided which are partitioned such that the refrigerant flow directions (D1, D2) are opposite to each other. Battery modules (101, 102, 103, 104).

3. A plurality of batteries (10) arranged with a gap (S) therebetween in the thickness direction (X); A cooling pipe (20) for cooling the plurality of batteries; Comprising: The cooling pipe has a heat exchange section (21) interposed in the gap, and a communication section (24) connecting the ends of the two heat exchange sections. A plurality of the heat exchange sections and a plurality of the communication sections are combined to form the cooling pipe. The plurality of heat exchange sections include heat exchange sections (21A, 21B, 21C) having different flow cross-sectional areas of the refrigerant flow paths (22, 23). The battery module (103) is configured such that the plurality of heat exchange portions are connected in parallel via the plurality of communication portions.

4. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cooling pipe is configured such that the plurality of heat exchange portions are connected in series via the plurality of communication portions.

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