Battery pack

Abstract

To uniformly cool a plurality of cells included in a battery pack.SOLUTION: A battery pack 10 includes: a plurality of cells 20 which each have a pair of wide faces 21 facing each other; a support member 40 supporting the cells 20; a U-turn flow path forming member 60; and a refrigerant supply device 80. The support member 40 disposes the cells 20 with an interval therebetween while the wide faces 21 face each other. The support member 40 includes, between each pair of adjacent cells 20 among the cells 20, a first flow path 51 from a first side 21a to a second side 21b of the wide face 21 in a width direction D2; and a second flow path 52 from the second side 21b to the first side 21a, the second flow path being independent from the first flow path 51. The U-turn flow path forming member 60 is disposed on the second side 21b of the wide face 21 of the cells 20, and has a third flow path 53 connecting the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52. The refrigerant supply device 80 is constituted to supply a refrigerant from the first side 21a of the first flow path 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-72741 discloses a battery pack having a function of cooling a battery. The battery pack includes a housing in which a plurality of batteries are housed, fluid driving means for circulating a fluid for cooling the plurality of batteries in the housing, a circulation passage formed inside the housing for the fluid to return to the fluid driving means after exchanging heat with the plurality of batteries, and a Peltier module that absorbs heat from the fluid.

[0003] The fluid flowing out from the fluid driving means absorbs the heat of the battery by passing through the plurality of batteries. Thereby, the plurality of batteries housed in the housing are cooled.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the battery pack disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-72741, the fluid passes along one direction from top to bottom with respect to the battery. Therefore, since a temperature difference of the fluid occurs between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the fluid in the battery, there is a possibility that the entire battery cannot be cooled uniformly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The assembled battery disclosed herein includes a plurality of cells each having a pair of opposing wide surfaces, a support member for supporting the plurality of cells, a U-turn channel forming member, and a refrigerant supply device. The support member is configured to arrange the plurality of cells with the wide surfaces facing each other at intervals. The support member has, between adjacent ones of the plurality of cells, a first channel extending from a first side to a second side in the width direction of the wide surface, and a second channel independent of the first channel and extending from the second side to the first side. The U-turn channel forming member is disposed on the second side of the wide surface of the plurality of cells and has a third channel connecting the first channel and the second channel. The refrigerant supply device is configured to supply refrigerant from the first side of the first channel.

[0007] According to the above assembled battery, the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant supply device can cool the portions of the cells located around the first channel by passing through the first channel. The refrigerant that has passed through the first channel and reached the third channel can cool the portions of the cells located around the second channel by passing through the second channel. Therefore, the entire cell can be cooled by the refrigerant passing through the first channel and the second channel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the technology disclosed herein will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the invention described in the claims of the present application. Each drawing is schematically drawn and does not necessarily faithfully reflect an actual product. Also, members and parts having the same function are appropriately assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are appropriately omitted.

[0010] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are a perspective view and a plan view showing the assembled battery 10 according to the present embodiment, respectively. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled battery 10 taken along the III-III cross-section of FIG. 2. In the drawings, the reference numerals F, Rr, L, R, U, and D indicate the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the assembled battery 10, respectively. The reference numerals D1, D2, and D3 indicate the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction, respectively. Here, the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 intersect (orthogonal in this case) with each other. In the present embodiment, the first direction D1 is the left-right direction. The second direction D2 is the front-rear direction. The third direction D3 is the up-down direction. However, these directions are merely defined for convenience of explanation and should not be construed in a limiting manner.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the assembled battery 10 according to the present embodiment is composed of a plurality of cells 20 and is capable of charging and discharging. The assembled battery 10 includes a plurality of cells 20, a support member 40, a U-turn flow path forming member 60, a cooling device 70, and a refrigerant supply device 80.

[0012] The cell 20 is capable of charging and discharging. For example, the cell 20 is a secondary battery capable of repeatedly charging and discharging by the movement of charge carriers between a pair of electrodes (for example, a positive electrode and a negative electrode) through an electrolytic solution. The cell 20 can be, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery or a nickel metal hydride battery.

[0013] The number of cells 20 constituting the assembled battery 10 is not particularly limited and is a predetermined number. In the present embodiment, as an example, the case where the number of cells 20 is four will be described. The configuration of the cell 20 is not particularly limited. The cell 20 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the cell 20 has a shape that is longer in the second direction D2 than in the first direction D1. The cell 20 has a pair of wide surfaces 21 facing each other and a pair of narrow surfaces 22 facing each other. The pair of wide surfaces 21 face each other along the first direction D1. The wide surface 21 extends in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. The pair of narrow surfaces 22 face each other along the second direction D2. The narrow surface 22 extends in the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. Here, the narrow surface 22 is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the wide surface 21 in a plan view. The area of the wide surface 21 is larger than that of the narrow surface 22. Although illustration is omitted, the cell 20 has, for example, a case, an electrode body housed in the case, and an electrolytic solution housed in the case. The electrode body is laminated or wound in the case. The wide surface 21 and the narrow surface 22 of the cell 20 are constituted by the above-described case.

[0014] In the present embodiment, the width direction of the wide surface 21 refers to the second direction D2, that is, the front-rear direction. Also, one end side in the width direction (second direction D2) of the wide surface 21 of the cell 20 is referred to as the first side 21a, and the other end side in the width direction is referred to as the second side 21b. Here, the first side 21a is the front side in the second direction D2. The second side 21b is the rear side in the second direction D2.

[0015] In the assembled battery 10, a plurality of cells 20 are arranged side by side in the first direction D1. The plurality of cells 20 are laminated in the first direction D1. Here, the wide surfaces 21 of adjacent cells 20 are opposed to each other, and the plurality of cells 20 are arranged. The plurality of cells 20 are arranged with a space therebetween. That is, the opposed wide surfaces 21 of adjacent cells 20 are separated from each other without contact.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the support member 40 is a member that supports a plurality of cells 20. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the support member 40 maintains the postures of the plurality of cells 20 arranged with the wide surfaces 21 facing each other while the plurality of cells 20 are spaced apart in the first direction D1, and supports the plurality of cells 20. The support member 40 fixes the positions of the plurality of cells 20 while maintaining the intervals between the plurality of cells 20. In the present embodiment, the support member 40 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the shape of the support member 40 is not particularly limited. Also, the material forming the support member 40 is not particularly limited. Here, the support member 40 is made of resin and is formed of, for example, polypropylene.

[0017] Moreover, the configuration in which the support member 40 supports the plurality of cells 20 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, a plurality of support holes 42 are formed in the support member 40. The cells 20 are inserted into the support holes 42. The support hole 42 is a hole that supports the cell 20 in a state where the cell 20 is accommodated. One cell 20 is accommodated in one support hole 42. The support hole 42 is formed on the upper surface of the support member 40 and is a hole formed downward from the upper surface. The support hole 42 extends in the third direction D3, that is, in the vertical direction. The cell 20 is accommodated and supported in the support hole 42 from above the support member 40. The support hole 42 has a rectangular shape similar to the cell 20 in plan view. The number of support holes 42 is the same as the number of cells 20 constituting the assembled battery 10. Here, the plurality of support holes 42 are arranged in the first direction D1, and adjacent support holes 42 are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. In the present embodiment, the plurality of cells 20 can be arranged side by side along the first direction D1 at intervals by being accommodated in the support holes 42. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, when the cell 20 is accommodated in the support hole 42, the upper end portion of the cell 20 may be exposed upward. In the present embodiment, in a state where the cell 20 is inserted and supported in the support hole 42, the support member 40 is configured to restrain the cell 20 with a predetermined restraint pressure.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a support member 40 that supports a plurality of cells 20. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the support member 40 has a first flow path 51 and a second flow path 52. As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerant described later supplied from the refrigerant supply device 80 passes through the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52. The first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 are formed in the support member 40 along the second direction D2. The first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 are flow paths that penetrate the support member 40 in the second direction D2. The first flow path 51 is a flow path extending from the first side 21a to the second side 21b in the second direction D2 of the wide surface 21. The second flow path 52 is independent of the first flow path 51 and is a flow path extending from the second side 21b to the first side 21a of the wide surface 21. Here, the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 extend linearly, but at least a part thereof may be curved.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, both the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 are provided between adjacent cells 20 (in other words, adjacent support holes 42) among the plurality of cells 20. Therefore, the number of the first flow paths 51 is plural, and the number of the second flow paths 52 is also plural. The number of the first flow paths 51 is the same as the number of the second flow paths 52. Here, the plurality of first flow paths 51 are arranged side by side in the first direction D1. The plurality of second flow paths 52 are also arranged side by side in the first direction D1.

[0020] Note that the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 may be formed between one end (for example, the left end) of the support member 40 in the first direction D1 and the cell 20 located at the most one end in the first direction D1 among the plurality of cells 20. Further, the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 may be formed between the other end (for example, the right end) of the support member 40 in the first direction D1 and the cell 20 located at the most other end in the first direction D1 among the plurality of cells 20. In other words, the cell 20 may be provided between adjacent first flow paths 51 among the plurality of first flow paths 51, or may be provided between adjacent second flow paths 52 among the plurality of second flow paths 52.

[0021] Between adjacent cells 20, the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 are arranged side by side in the third direction D3, here the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the third direction D3 is an example of "a direction orthogonal to the width direction of the wide surface 21 of the cell 20". Here, the first flow path 51 is arranged above the second flow path 52. However, the first flow path 51 may be arranged below the second flow path 52. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, a partition wall 43 may be provided between the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52. The partition wall 43 is provided inside the support member 40 and is in the form of a plate extending in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The vertically arranged first flow path 51 and second flow path 52 are partitioned by the partition wall 43.

[0022] In this embodiment, the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 may be partially communicated with the support hole 42. For example, in a state where the cell 20 is accommodated in the support hole 42, the cell 20 may surround a part of the first flow path 51 or a part of the second flow path 52. That is, the cell 20 may form a part of a member surrounding the first flow path 51 or a part of a member surrounding the second flow path 52.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the U-turn flow path forming member 60 is a member that connects the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 formed in the support member 40. The U-turn flow path forming member 60 is arranged on the second side 21b of the wide surface 21 of a plurality of cells 20. Here, the U-turn flow path forming member 60 is arranged on the rear side in the second direction D2 of the support member 40. The U-turn flow path forming member 60 is in contact with the support member 40 from the rear. The shape of the U-turn flow path forming member 60 is not particularly limited, for example, it is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The material for forming the U-turn flow path forming member 60 is also not particularly limited, for example, it is resin. For example, the U-turn flow path forming member 60 is formed of polypropylene.

[0024] The U-turn channel forming member 60 has a third channel 53. Here, an internal space is formed inside the U-turn channel forming member 60, and the U-turn channel forming member 60 opens forward. The internal space can become the third channel 53. The third channel 53 is disposed on the second side 21b of the cell 20 and is a channel that connects the first channel 51 and the second channel 52. The first channel 51 and the second channel 52 communicate with each other via the third channel 53. The cross-sectional shape of the third channel 53 is U-shaped or C-shaped when viewed, for example, in the first direction D1.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the U-turn channel forming member 60. As shown in FIG. 5, the third channel 53 has an inlet 53a and an outlet 53b. Here, the inlet 53a and the outlet 53b are formed on the same surface of the U-turn channel forming member 60, for example, on the front surface of the U-turn channel forming member 60. The inlet 53a is disposed above the outlet 53b. As shown in FIG. 3, the inlet 53a of the third channel 53 is connected to the ends of the plurality of first channels 51 of the support member 40 on the second side 21b. The outlet 53b of the third channel 53 is connected to the ends of the plurality of second channels 52 of the support member 40 on the second side 21b. Refrigerant passes through the third channel 53. Here, the refrigerant that has passed through the first channel 51 as indicated by arrow A1 passes through the third channel 53 as indicated by arrow A3. The refrigerant that has passed through the third channel 53 passes through the second channel 52 as indicated by arrow A2.

[0026] Here, as shown in FIG. 3, a U-turn partition 62 is formed between the inlet 53a and the outlet 53b. The U-turn partition 62 extends, for example, in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 and divides the third channel 53 into a portion on the inlet 53a side and a portion on the outlet 53b side.

[0027] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the third flow path 53 extends in the first direction D1, and the number of the third flow paths 53 formed in the U-turn flow path forming member 60 is one. Therefore, one third flow path 53 connects a plurality of first flow paths 51 and a plurality of second flow paths 52. However, the number of the third flow paths 53 may be plural. In this case, the plurality of third flow paths 53 may be arranged side by side in the first direction D1. One third flow path 53 may be configured to connect one first flow path 51 arranged vertically and one second flow path 52.

[0028] The cooling device 70 is a device that cools the third flow path 53 formed in the U-turn flow path forming member 60. The cooling device 70 cools the refrigerant flowing through the third flow path 53 and removes the heat applied to the refrigerant. Note that the configuration of the cooling device 70 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the cooling device 70 has a Peltier element 72 and a heat radiating fin 75.

[0029] The Peltier element 72 is a kind of plate-shaped semiconductor thermoelectric element using the Peltier effect. Here, the Peltier element 72 is disposed in the third flow path 53. As shown in FIG. 5, the Peltier element 72 extends in the first direction D1 and is provided over the entire first direction D1 in the third flow path 53. As shown in FIG. 3, the Peltier element 72 has a cooling surface 73a and a heating surface 73b. The cooling surface 73a is a surface that absorbs heat and is formed by the surface of the Peltier element 72 facing the inside of the third flow path 53. The heating surface 73b is a surface that generates heat (or radiates heat) and is formed by the surface of the Peltier element 72 facing the outside of the third flow path 53.

[0030] In this embodiment, a current device 74 for passing a current (for example, a direct current) through the Peltier element 72 is connected to the Peltier element 72. In the Peltier element 72, the cooling surface 73a is cooled by the current flowing from the current device 74. As a result, the third flow path 53 is cooled, and the heat of the refrigerant flowing through the third flow path 53 is removed.

[0031] The heat dissipation fin 75 is a fin for discharging the heat in the third flow path 53 to the outside of the third flow path 53. Here, the heat dissipation fin 75 is provided on the U-turn flow path forming member 60 so that at least a part thereof is disposed within the third flow path 53. As shown in FIG. 5, the number of the heat dissipation fins 75 is plural, and the plurality of heat dissipation fins 75 are arranged side by side in the first direction D1. The number of the heat dissipation fins 75 is not limited and is a predetermined number, which is appropriately set according to the size and number of the cells 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the heat dissipation fin 75 has a plate shape extending in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. The material forming the heat dissipation fin 75 is not particularly limited, and it is preferably a material that easily releases heat to the outside. Here, the heat dissipation fin 75 is formed of a metal. Specifically, the heat dissipation fin 75 is formed of copper or aluminum. In the present embodiment, the heat dissipation fin 75 is cooled by the Peltier element 72. As a result, the cooled heat dissipation fin 75 can cool the third flow path 53.

[0032] The heat dissipation fin 75 is provided so as to communicate between the inside and the outside of the third flow path 53. Here, the heat dissipation fin 75 penetrates through a part (here, the rear wall) of the U-turn flow path forming member 60 that forms a part of the third flow path 53. In the present embodiment, the heat dissipation fin 75 has an inner portion 76a and an outer portion 76b. The inner portion 76a is disposed inside the third flow path 53. The outer portion 76b is disposed outside the third flow path 53, in other words, outside the U-turn flow path forming member 60. The outer portion 76b is provided on the side opposite to the support member 40 with respect to the U-turn flow path forming member 60 (here, the rear side of the U-turn flow path forming member 60). The outer portion 76b is continuous with the inner portion 76a.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerant supply device 80 is configured to supply refrigerant to the first flow path 51 of the support member 40. Here, the refrigerant supply device 80 supplies refrigerant from the first side 21a (here, the front side) of the first flow path 51. The refrigerant supply device 80 is disposed on the opposite side of the U-turn flow path forming member 60 with respect to the support member 40 (here, the front side of the support member 40). Note that the number of refrigerant supply devices 80 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, one refrigerant supply device 80 is provided for each first flow path 51. However, one refrigerant supply device 80 may be provided for a plurality of first flow paths 51. When there are a plurality of refrigerant supply devices 80, the plurality of refrigerant supply devices 80 are arranged side by side in the first direction D1 on the front side of the support member 40.

[0034] The type of refrigerant supplied by the refrigerant supply device 80 is not particularly limited. The refrigerant is a fluid. Here, the refrigerant is a gas, for example, air. The refrigerant supply device 80 supplies air as the refrigerant to the first flow path 51. The configuration of the refrigerant supply device 80 is not particularly limited. Here, the refrigerant supply device 80 has a function of blowing air into the first flow path 51. As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerant supply device 80 has a fan 81. By driving (or rotating) the fan 81, air as the refrigerant is supplied from the first side 21a to the first flow path 51. Although not shown, the refrigerant supply device 80 may have a cooling mechanism for cooling the refrigerant supplied to the first flow path 51.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the refrigerant supply device 80 is supported by a support plate 85 disposed on the front side of the support member 40. The support plate 85 is in the shape of a plate extending in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The refrigerant supply device 80 is placed on the support plate 85. The support plate 85 is supported by legs 86, 87 extending vertically. The leg 86 is connected to the left end portion of the support plate 85. The leg 87 is connected to the right end portion of the support plate 85.

[0036] In this embodiment, when charging and discharging are performed on a plurality of cells 20 supported by the support member 40, the cells 20 may be heated. At this time, the entire cells 20 may be heated. As shown in FIG. 3, in the assembled battery 10 according to this embodiment, when the refrigerant supply device 80 is driven, the refrigerant supply device 80 supplies refrigerant to the first flow path 51 from the first side 21a. The refrigerant supplied to the first flow path 51 is the air around the assembled battery 10 and is unheated air. The refrigerant supplied to the first flow path 51 passes through the inside of the first flow path 51 from the first side 21a toward the second side 21b as indicated by the arrow A1. At this time, the portion of the cell 20 located around the first flow path 51 (typically the upper portion of the cell 20) is cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path 51. On the other hand, as the heat of the cell 20 is imparted to the refrigerant, the refrigerant is heated and becomes warm. Therefore, the warmed refrigerant flows from the first flow path 51 into the third flow path 53 formed in the U-turn flow path forming member 60.

[0037] As described above, a cooling device 70 (here, the Peltier element 72 and the heat radiation fins 75) is provided in the third flow path 53. When current flows from the current device 74 to the Peltier element 72, the cooling surface 73a of the Peltier element 72 is cooled. When the Peltier element 72 is cooled, the heat radiation fins 75 are cooled. Therefore, as indicated by the arrow A3 in FIG. 3, the refrigerant flowing through the third flow path 53 is actively cooled by the Peltier element 72 and the heat radiation fins 75, and the heat is removed. As a result, the refrigerant that has flowed through the third flow path 53 and has been cooled is supplied from the second side 21b to the second flow path 52. The refrigerant supplied to the second flow path 52 passes through the inside of the second flow path 52 from the second side 21b toward the first side 21a as indicated by the arrow A2. At this time, the portion of the cell 20 located around the second flow path 52 (typically the lower portion of the cell 20) is cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the second flow path 52. On the other hand, as the heat of the cell 20 is imparted to the refrigerant, the refrigerant flowing through the second flow path 52 is heated and becomes warm. Therefore, the warmed refrigerant is discharged to the outside from the first side 21a of the second flow path 52. In this way, the entire cell 20 can be uniformly cooled.

[0038] As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the assembled battery 10 includes a plurality of cells 20 each having a pair of opposing wide surfaces 21 (see FIG. 2), a support member 40 for supporting the plurality of cells 20, a U-turn channel forming member 60, and a refrigerant supply device 80. As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 40 is configured to arrange the plurality of cells 20 with the wide surfaces 21 facing each other at intervals. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the support member 40 has a first channel 51 extending from a first side 21a to a second side 21b in the width direction (here, the second direction D2) of the wide surface 21 between adjacent cells 20 among the plurality of cells 20, and a second channel 52 that is independent of the first channel 51 and extends from the second side 21b to the first side 21a. As shown in FIG. 3, the U-turn channel forming member 60 is disposed on the second side 21b of the wide surface 21 of the plurality of cells 20 and has a third channel 53 that connects the first channel 51 and the second channel 52. The refrigerant supply device 80 is configured to supply refrigerant from the first side 21a of the first channel 51. In this way, the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant supply device 80 can cool the portion of the cell 20 located around the first channel 51 (here, the upper portion of the cell 20) by passing through the first channel 51 as indicated by the arrow A1. Further, the refrigerant that has passed through the first channel 51 and reached the third channel 53 can cool the portion of the cell 20 located around the second channel 52 (here, the lower portion of the cell 20) by passing through the second channel 52 as indicated by the arrow A2. Therefore, the entire cell 20 can be uniformly cooled by the refrigerant passing through the first channel 51 and the second channel 52.

[0039] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the assembled battery 10 includes a cooling device 70 for cooling the third channel 53. For example, when refrigerant passes through the first channel 51, heat may be imparted to and warm the refrigerant by absorbing the heat of the cell 20. Therefore, the refrigerant that has reached the third channel 53 from the first channel 51 may be warm. However, in this embodiment, the third channel 53 can be cooled by the cooling device 70, so that the refrigerant passing through the third channel 53 can be cooled. Therefore, since the cooled refrigerant can pass through the second channel 52, the cell 20 can be cooled more effectively.

[0040] In this embodiment, the cooling device 70 has a Peltier element 72. The Peltier element 72 can actively absorb heat from the refrigerant passing through the third flow path 53 of the U-turn flow path forming member 60. Therefore, the refrigerant from which heat has been actively absorbed can be supplied to the second flow path 52.

[0041] In this embodiment, the cooling device 70 has heat radiation fins 75 provided at least in the third flow path 53. The Peltier element 72 cools the heat radiation fins 75. By this, the heat radiation fins 75 can be cooled by the Peltier element 72. Thus, the cooled heat radiation fins 75 can be made to easily absorb the heat of the refrigerant in the third flow path 53. Therefore, a more cooled refrigerant can be supplied to the second flow path 52.

[0042] In this embodiment, the heat radiation fins 75 are provided so as to communicate with the inside and the outside of the third flow path 53. By this, the heat absorbed by the heat radiation fins 75 in the third flow path 53 can be released to the outside of the third flow path 53. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for heat to remain in the third flow path 53, and thus it is possible to easily cool the refrigerant passing through the third flow path 53.

[0043] In this embodiment, the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 are arranged side by side in a direction (here, the third direction D3) orthogonal to the width direction (here, the second direction D2) of the wide surface 21 of the plurality of cells 20. By this, the cells 20 can be cooled so that the temperature becomes uniform in the third direction D3 by the refrigerant passing through the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52.

[0044] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, between adjacent cells 20, there was one first flow path 51 and also one second flow path 52. However, between adjacent cells 20, there may be a plurality of first flow paths 51 or a plurality of second flow paths 52. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a support member 40 of the assembled battery 10A according to another embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembled battery 10A according to another embodiment and is a view corresponding to FIG. 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, between cells 20 adjacent in the first direction D1, one first flow path 51 and two second flow paths 52A and 52B may be provided. In this case, the first flow path 51 is, for example, sandwiched between two second flow paths 52A and 52B. As shown in FIG. 7, the second flow path 52A is formed in the support member 40 so as to be disposed above the first flow path 51. The second flow path 52B is formed in the support member 40 so as to be disposed below the first flow path 51. Here, a partition wall 43A is provided between the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52A. A partition wall 43B is provided between the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52B. The first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52A are partitioned by the partition wall 43A. The first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52B are partitioned by the partition wall 43B.

[0045] In this case, the third flow path 53 formed in the U-turn flow path forming member 60 has one inlet 53a and two outlets 53b1 and 53b2. The inlet 53a is, for example, sandwiched between two outlets 53b1 and 53b2. The outlet 53b1 is disposed above the inlet 53a and is connected to the end of the second side 21b of the second flow path 52A. The outlet 53b2 is disposed below the inlet 53a and is connected to the end of the second side 21b of the second flow path 52B. In this case, the third flow path 53 is configured such that the inlet 53a and the two outlets 53b1 and 53b2 communicate with each other. Here, a U-turn partition wall 62A is provided between the inlet 53a and the outlet 53b1. A U-turn partition wall 62B is provided between the inlet 53a and the outlet 53b2. Thus, by the U-turn partition walls 62A and 62B, the third flow path 53 is partitioned into a portion of the inlet 53a, a portion on the outlet 53b1 side, and a portion on the outlet 53b2 side.

[0046] In an example of FIGS. 6 and 7, the refrigerant supplied to the first flow path 51 passes through the inside of the first flow path 51 from the first side 21a toward the second side 21b as indicated by arrow A11. At this time, the portions of the cells 20 located around the first flow path 51 (typically the upper and lower central portions of the cells 20) are cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path 51. Then, in the third flow path 53, the refrigerant is cooled by the cooling device 70. The cooled refrigerant is supplied to either the second flow paths 52A or 52B as indicated by arrows A13a and A13b. Here, the refrigerant supplied to the second flow path 52A passes through the inside of the second flow path 52A from the second side 21b toward the first side 21a as indicated by arrow A12a. At this time, the portions of the cells 20 located around the second flow path 52A (typically the upper portion of the cells 20) are cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the second flow path 52A. On the other hand, the refrigerant supplied to the second flow path 52B passes through the inside of the second flow path 52B from the second side 21b toward the first side 21a as indicated by arrow A12b. At this time, the portions of the cells 20 located around the second flow path 52B (typically the lower portion of the cells 20) are cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the second flow path 52B. Thus, even in an example of FIGS. 6 and 7, the entire cells 20 can be uniformly cooled.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 extend in the second direction D2, that is, the front-rear direction. However, the first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 may extend in the vertical direction. That is, for example, in an example of FIGS. 6 and 7, a configuration in which the assembled battery 10 is rotated 90 degrees about the first direction D1 (for example, the front portion of the assembled battery 10 is rotated 90 degrees upward) may be used. For example, in an example of FIGS. 6 and 7, the second direction D2 may be changed from the front-rear direction to the vertical direction, and the third direction D3 may be changed from the vertical direction to the front-rear direction. In this case, for example, the refrigerant supply device 80 may be disposed above the support member 40, and the U-turn flow path forming member 60 may be disposed below the support member 40. Even in this case, the same effects as in an example of FIGS. 6 and 7 can be obtained.

[0048] As described above, the invention disclosed herein has been variously explained. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments described herein do not limit the present invention. Further, the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein can be variously modified, and unless there are any particular problems, each component and each process mentioned herein can be appropriately omitted or appropriately combined.

[0049] As described above, this specification includes the disclosures described in the following sections. Item 1: A plurality of cells each having a pair of opposing wide surfaces, A support member for supporting the plurality of cells, A U-turn channel forming member, A refrigerant supply device, comprising The support member is configured to arrange the plurality of cells with the wide surfaces facing each other at intervals, The support member Among the plurality of cells, between each adjacent pair of cells, a first flow path extending from a first side to a second side in the width direction of the wide surface, Independent of the first flow path, a second flow path extending from the second side to the first side, having The U-turn channel forming member is disposed on the second side of the wide surface of the plurality of cells and has a third flow path connecting the first flow path and the second flow path, The refrigerant supply device is configured to supply refrigerant from the first side of the first flow path, a battery pack.

[0050] Item 2: The battery pack according to Item 1, further comprising a cooling device for cooling the third flow path.

[0051] Item 3: The battery pack according to Item 2, wherein the cooling device has a Peltier element.

[0052] Item 4: The cooling device has heat dissipation fins provided at least in the third flow path, The Peltier element cools the heat dissipation fins, and the assembled battery according to item 3.

[0053] Item 5: The heat dissipation fins are provided so as to communicate with the inside and the outside of the third flow path, and the assembled battery according to item 4.

[0054] Item 6: The first flow path and the second flow path are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the width direction of the wide surface of the plurality of cells, and the assembled battery according to any one of items 1 to 5.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0055] 10 Assembled battery 20 Cells 21 Wide surface 21a First side 21b Second side 40 Support member 51 First flow path 52 Second flow path 53 Third flow path 60 U-turn flow path forming member 70 Cooling device 72 Peltier element 75 Heat dissipation fins 80 Refrigerant supply device D1 First direction D2 Second direction (width direction of the wide surface) D3 Third direction

Claims

1. A plurality of cells each having a pair of opposing wide surfaces, a support member for supporting the plurality of cells, a U-turn flow path forming member, a refrigerant supply device, and comprising: the support member is configured to arrange the plurality of cells with the wide surfaces facing each other at intervals, the support member has, between each of the adjacent cells among the plurality of cells, a first flow path extending from a first side to a second side in the width direction of the wide surface, and a second flow path independent of the first flow path and extending from the second side to the first side, and having: the U-turn flow path forming member is disposed on the second side of the wide surface of the plurality of cells and has a third flow path connecting the first flow path and the second flow path, the refrigerant supply device is configured to supply refrigerant from the first side of the first flow path, a battery pack provided with a cooling device for cooling the third flow path.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device has a Peltier element.

3. The cooling device has heat dissipation fins provided at least in the third flow path, the battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the Peltier element cools the heat dissipation fins.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the heat dissipation fins are provided so as to communicate with the inside and the outside of the third flow path.

5. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the width direction of the wide surface of the plurality of cells.

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