Vehicle Battery Cooler

Abstract

To allow cooling of a plurality of batteries with a single heat exchanger.SOLUTION: A first header tank 10 and a second header tank 20 are provided with partition plates 11, 12, 21 for dividing a plurality of tubes A1 to A4 into three or more paths PS1, PS2, PS3. Of the paths PS1, PS2, PS3, the most upstream path PS1 and the most downstream path PS2 are disposed so as to be adjacent with each other and in contact with a first battery B1. Of the paths PS1, PS2, PS3, an intermediate path PS3 between the most upstream side path PS1 and the most downstream side path PS2 is disposed so as to be in contact with a second battery B2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery cooler for cooling a battery mounted in, for example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, etc. are equipped with a battery for supplying power to a driving motor. Since the battery generates heat when charging and discharging, a battery cooler is sometimes provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The battery cooler in Patent Document 1 is a heat exchanger configured by disposing multiple tubes between a first header and a second header. The multiple tubes consist of a first tube for flowing refrigerant from the first header to the second header and a second tube for flowing refrigerant from the second header to the first header, and the sum of the areas of the heat exchange surfaces of the first tubes with the battery is larger than the sum of the areas of the heat exchange surfaces of the second tubes with the battery.

[0004] Figures 1 and 7 of Patent Document 1 show a configuration in which one battery is cooled by one heat exchanger, and Figures 2 and 3 of Patent Document 1 show a configuration in which two batteries are cooled by two heat exchangers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Republished Publication No. 2020 / 179651 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, since a vehicle is often equipped with multiple batteries to supply power to the driving motor, applying the battery cooler of Patent Document 1 requires the same number of heat exchangers as the number of batteries. Each heat exchanger is composed of a first header, a second header, and multiple tubes, so the number of parts is large, and combining multiple heat exchangers into a battery cooler results in a large overall size.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such points, and an object thereof is to make it possible to cool multiple batteries with one heat exchanger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present disclosure can be based on a battery cooler including a first header tank connected to one ends of three or more tubes aligned in a predetermined direction and extending in the predetermined direction, and a second header tank connected to the other ends of the tubes and extending in the predetermined direction, the battery cooler cooling a first battery and a second battery separated from each other by a cooling medium circulating inside the tubes. The first header tank and the second header tank are provided with partition plates for dividing the tubes into three or more paths aligned in the predetermined direction by dividing the interiors of the first header tank and the second header tank into a plurality of spaces. Of the paths, an upstream path located at the most upstream position in a cooling medium flow direction and a downstream path located at the most downstream position in the cooling medium flow direction are arranged adjacent to each other and in contact with the first battery. Of the paths, an intermediate path between the upstream path and the downstream path in the cooling medium flow direction is arranged in contact with the second battery.

[0009] According to this configuration, the cooling capacity of the cooling medium flowing through the tubes constituting the most upstream path is the highest among the paths. On the other hand, the cooling capacity of the cooling medium flowing through the tubes constituting the most downstream path is the lowest among the paths. Also, the cooling capacity of the cooling medium flowing through the tubes constituting the intermediate path is intermediate between the cooling capacity of the most upstream path and the most downstream path. Therefore, by having the most upstream path and the most downstream path in contact with the first battery, the low cooling capacity of the most downstream path is compensated for by the high cooling capacity of the most upstream path, and the first battery is sufficiently cooled. Also, by having the intermediate path, which has a higher cooling capacity than the most downstream path, in contact with the second battery, the second battery is also sufficiently cooled.

[0010] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, the most upstream path, the most downstream path, and the intermediate path are arranged in order in the predetermined direction, and the first header tank is provided with a bypass pipe that causes the refrigerant that has circulated through the most upstream path to bypass the most downstream path and flow into the intermediate path.

[0011] With this configuration, the most upstream path, the most downstream path, and the intermediate path are arranged in a predetermined direction, so that a layout can be easily formed in which the most upstream path and the most downstream path are in contact with the first battery and the intermediate path is in contact with the second battery to cool both batteries. In this case, the refrigerant that has circulated through the most upstream path can be caused to flow into the intermediate path through a bypass pipe, thereby achieving the desired cooling capacity.

[0012] In the third aspect of the present disclosure, since all of the tubes have the same shape, the number of types of parts that make up the battery cooler can be reduced, thereby reducing costs.

[0013] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, one of the first header tank and the second header tank is provided with a refrigerant inlet portion for allowing the refrigerant to flow in as the cooling medium, and one or the other of the first header tank and the second header tank is provided with a refrigerant outlet portion for allowing the refrigerant that flows in from the refrigerant inlet portion and has circulated through the most upstream path, the intermediate path, and the most downstream path to flow out to the outside, and the refrigerant at the refrigerant outlet portion is in a superheated state.

[0014] This configuration allows for efficient cooling of multiple batteries by utilizing the cold energy of the refrigerant until it becomes overheated. That is, even when the degree of superheat at the refrigerant outlet is high and no liquid refrigerant flows through the most downstream path, the distribution of cooling capacity can be made uniform by arranging the most downstream path adjacent to the most upstream path, which has a large amount of liquid refrigerant and a high cooling capacity.

[0015] In the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, since all the paths are configured with the same number of tubes, the configuration of the battery cooler can be simplified. Also, since the coolant flows evenly through all the tubes, the cooling capacity can be improved.

[0016] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the second header tank is provided with a refrigerant inlet portion for introducing a refrigerant as the cooling medium, and a refrigerant outlet portion for discharging the refrigerant that has flowed from the refrigerant inlet portion and circulated through the most upstream path, the intermediate path, and the most downstream path to the outside.

[0017] According to this configuration, the bypass piping is provided in the first header tank, and the refrigerant inlet and outlet ports are provided in the second header tank, so there is less interference between the bypass piping and the pipes connected to the refrigerant inlet and outlet ports, improving the freedom in designing the position, orientation, and shape of these pipes.

[0018] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the upstream path and the downstream path are each composed of n x 1 tubes, and the intermediate path is composed of n x 2 tubes (where n is a natural number starting from 1).

[0019] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, Most The upstream path and the most downstream path are each composed of n x 1 of the tubes, and the intermediate path includes both a path composed of n x 1 of the tubes and a path composed of n x 2 of the tubes (where n is a natural number starting from 1).

[0020] In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the intermediate path includes a first intermediate path and a second intermediate path aligned in the flow direction of the cooling medium, so that one battery can be cooled by the first intermediate path and another battery can be cooled by the second intermediate path, thereby enabling cooling of three or more batteries. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] As described above, the most upstream path and the most downstream path are arranged to contact the first battery, and the intermediate path is arranged to contact the second battery, so that a single heat exchanger can cool multiple batteries that are separated from one another, thereby enabling the battery cooler to be made smaller. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing the structure of a battery cooler according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a battery cooling system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the structure of a battery cooler according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the structure of a battery cooler according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the structure of a battery cooler according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the structure of a battery cooler according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0024] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows a battery cooler 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery cooler 1 is a heat exchanger and constitutes a part of a battery cooling system 100. In addition to the battery cooler 1, the battery cooling system 100 includes a compressor 101 that compresses a refrigerant used as a cooling medium, a condenser 102 that condenses the refrigerant, and a pressure reducing valve 103 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 101 flows through a first refrigerant pipe 104 and into the condenser 102. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 102 flows through a second refrigerant pipe 105 and into the pressure reducing valve 103 where it is reduced in pressure. The refrigerant reduced in pressure reducing valve 103 flows through a third refrigerant pipe 106 and into the battery cooler 1 in a gas-liquid two-phase state. The battery cooler 1 is a so-called evaporator, and the refrigerant that flows in releases heat and turns into gas while flowing through the battery cooler 1, and then flows through the fourth refrigerant pipe 107 and is sucked into the compressor 101. In this way, the battery cooling system 100 is configured as a refrigeration cycle device. The first to fourth refrigerant pipes 104 to 107 are also components that configure part of the battery cooling system 100.

[0025] The compressor 101 is controlled by a control device 108. The control device 108 detects, for example, the charge / discharge state and temperature of batteries B1 and B2 (shown in FIG. 1), and operates the compressor 101 when it is time to cool the batteries B1 and B2. When it is no longer necessary to cool the batteries B1 and B2, the control device 108 stops the compressor 101. The compressor 101 may be electrically driven, or may be driven by an engine (not shown) installed in a hybrid vehicle.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, the battery cooler 1 is a battery cooler for cooling a first battery B1 and a second battery B2, which are indicated by imaginary lines. The first battery B1 and the second battery B2 are intended to supply power to a traction motor (not shown) mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Therefore, the battery cooler 1 is also mounted on an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle may be a plug-in hybrid that can be charged from a commercial power source or the like. The arrows in Fig. 1 indicate the direction of refrigerant flow.

[0027] In this embodiment, a case will be described in which two batteries, a first battery B1 and a second battery B2, are mounted, with the first battery B1 arranged in the front and the second battery B2 arranged in the rear, but the number of batteries is not limited to two. The first battery B1 and the second battery B2 each contain a plurality of cells (not shown). The first battery B1 and the second battery B2 are elongated in the left-right direction and are arranged at a distance from each other in the front-to-rear direction, so that they are separated from each other. The first battery B1 and the second battery B2 have the same shape and size, but may be different from each other. The first battery B1 and the second battery B2 may be arranged in the reversed front-to-back direction, or side-by-side in the left-to-right direction.

[0028] The first battery B1, the second battery B2, and the battery cooler 1 are housed in a battery case (not shown). In the description of this embodiment, the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are defined as shown in the drawings, but this is defined merely for the convenience of explanation and does not limit the directions during actual use or during manufacture, and the battery can also be installed so that the front-rear direction corresponds to the left-right direction of the automobile.

[0029] The battery cooler 1 includes first to fourth tubes A1 to A4, a left header tank 10, a right header tank 20, and a bypass pipe 30. The first to fourth tubes A1 to A4 are flat, plate-like tubes extending in the left-right direction and made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. They are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. The front-rear direction is defined as a predetermined direction, and the direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction in a plan view is defined as the left-right direction. The first to fourth tubes A1 to A4 are all the same, i.e., they all have the same shape. The same shape means that the first to fourth tubes A1 to A4 have the same length (left-right dimension), the same width (front-rear dimension), and the same thickness. The first to fourth tubes A1 to A4 also have the same wall thickness and cross-sectional area.

[0030] The first to fourth tubes A1 to A4 may be different from one another. Also, the first to fourth tubes A1 to A4 may extend in the front-to-rear direction, in which case the system will have a front header tank and a rear header tank, and the predetermined direction in which the first to fourth tubes A1 to A4 are aligned will be the left-to-right direction.

[0031] The first to fourth tubes A1 to A4 are arranged parallel to one another. The first tube A1 is arranged at the front, and the fourth tube A4 is arranged at the rear. The second tube A2 is arranged behind the first tube A1, and the third tube A3 is arranged between the second tube A2 and the fourth tube A4. That is, from front to rear, the first tube A1, the second tube A2, the third tube A3, and the fourth tube A4 are arranged in this order. The first to fourth tubes A1 to A4 may be arranged at the same distance from front to rear, or the first tube A1 and the second tube A2 may be close to each other, or the third tube A3 and the fourth tube A4 may be close to each other. The first to fourth tubes A1 to A4 are set to the same height within the battery case. The top surfaces of the tubes A1 to A4 are formed to be approximately flat.

[0032] The front-rear dimensions of the first tube A1 and the second tube A2 are set shorter than the front-rear dimension of the first battery B1. The first tube A1 and the second tube A2 are arranged so that the bottom surface of one of the first batteries B1 contacts the top surfaces of the first tube A1 and the second tube A2. This allows the cold heat of the refrigerant flowing through the first tube A1 and the second tube A2 to be efficiently transferred to the first battery B1, making it possible to cool the first battery B1 using the cold heat of the refrigerant. Note that a member that promotes heat conduction may be interposed between the first tube A1, the second tube A2, and the first battery B1.

[0033] The front-rear dimensions of the third tube A3 and the fourth tube A4 are set shorter than the front-rear dimension of the second battery B2. The third tube A3 and the fourth tube A4 are arranged so that the bottom surface of one of the second batteries B2 contacts the top surface of the third tube A3 and the fourth tube A4. This allows the second battery B2 to be cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the third tube A3 and the fourth tube A4. Note that a member that promotes heat conduction may be interposed between the third tube A3, the fourth tube A4, and the second battery B2.

[0034] The number of tubes can be changed depending on the number of batteries, for example, if one battery is added, one or more tubes can be added, and if one battery is removed, one or more tubes can be removed. Also, one tube can be placed under one battery, or three or more tubes can be placed.

[0035] The left header tank (first header tank) 10 is positioned to the left of the first battery B1 and the second battery B2, and extends in the front-to-rear direction, which is the direction in which the first to fourth tubes A1 to A4 are arranged. Left ends (one end) of the first to fourth tubes A1 to A4 are connected to the left header tank 10. Both front and rear ends of the left header tank 10 are closed.

[0036] The left header tank 10 is provided with a first left-side partition plate 11 and a second left-side partition plate 12. The first left-side partition plate 11 and the second left-side partition plate 12 are brazed to the left header tank 10. The first left-side partition plate 11 is provided between the first tube A1 and the second tube A2. The second left-side partition plate 12 is provided between the second tube A2 and the third tube A3. As a result, inside the left header tank 10, a first left-side space S1 is formed in front of the first left-side partition plate 11, a second left-side space S2 is formed between the first left-side partition plate 11 and the second left-side partition plate 12, and a third left-side space S3 is formed behind the second left-side partition plate 12.

[0037] The right header tank (second header tank) 20 is positioned to the right of the first battery B1 and the second battery B2, and extends in the front-to-rear direction substantially parallel to the left header tank 10. The right end portions (other end portions) of the first to fourth tubes A1 to A4 are connected to the right header tank 20. Both front and rear end portions of the right header tank 20 are closed.

[0038] A first right-side partition plate 21 is provided in the right-side header tank 20. The first right-side partition plate 21 is brazed to the right-side header tank 20. The first right-side partition plate 21 is provided between the first tube 11 and the second tube 12. As a result, inside the right-side header tank 20, a first right-side space R1 is formed in front of the first right-side partition plate 21, and a second right-side space R2 is formed behind the first right-side partition plate 21.

[0039] The right header tank 20 is provided with a refrigerant inlet 40 for allowing the refrigerant to flow in. The refrigerant inlet 40 is provided to correspond to the first right space R1. The refrigerant inlet 40 may be configured as a refrigerant inlet port formed in the right header tank 20, or may be configured as an inlet-side connecting member or a connecting block made of a block-shaped member attached to the right header tank 20. The downstream end of the third refrigerant piping 106 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the refrigerant inlet 40. The third refrigerant piping 106 is in communication with the first right space R1 via the refrigerant inlet 40, and therefore, the refrigerant decompressed by the pressure reducing valve 103 flows into the first right space R1.

[0040] The left header tank 10 is provided with a refrigerant outlet portion 50 for allowing the refrigerant that has flowed through the first to fourth tubes A1 to A4 to flow out to the outside. The refrigerant outlet portion 50 may be configured as a refrigerant outlet port formed in the left header tank 10, or may be configured as an outlet-side connecting member or a connecting block made of a block-shaped member attached to the left header tank 10. The upstream end of the fourth refrigerant pipe 107 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the refrigerant outlet portion 50. The refrigerant outlet portion 50 corresponds to the second left space S2, and the fourth refrigerant pipe 107 communicates with the second left space S2 via the refrigerant outlet portion 50.

[0041] (heat exchanger path) As described above, the left header tank 10 is provided with the first left partition plate 11 and the second left partition plate 12 for dividing the interior of the left header tank 10 into the first left space S1, the second left space S2, and the third left space S3. In addition, the right header tank 20 is provided with the first right partition plate 21 for dividing the interior of the right header tank 20 into the first right space R1 and the second right space R2. By dividing the interiors of the left header tank 10 and the right header tank 20 into spaces S1 to S3 and spaces R1 and R2, respectively, the first to fourth tubes A1 to A4 are divided into three paths PS1, PS2, PS3 aligned in the front-to-rear direction.

[0042] Specifically, the first path PS1 is formed by a first tube A1 communicating with the left-side first space S1 and the right-side first space R1. The second path PS2 is formed by a second tube A2 communicating with the left-side second space S2 and the right-side second space R2. The third path PS3 is formed by a third tube A3 and a fourth tube A4 communicating with the left-side third space S3 and the right-side second space R2. The first path PS1 is located at the front, the third path PS3 is located at the rear, and the second path PS2 is located between the first path PS1 and the third path PS3. The first path PS1 and the second path PS2 each consist of one tube (odd number), while the third path PS3 consists of two tubes (even number). The third path PS3 may be formed of three or more tubes.

[0043] Because the decompressed refrigerant flows into the right-side first space R1, first path PS1, which is composed of the first tube A1, is the most upstream path in the refrigerant flow direction. Meanwhile, because the refrigerant flows out of the left-side second space S2, second path PS2, which is composed of the second tube A2, is the most downstream path in the refrigerant flow direction. The intermediate path between first path PS1, which is the most upstream path in the refrigerant flow direction, and second path PS2, which is the most downstream path, is third path PS3, which is composed of third tube A3 and fourth tube A4.

[0044] In this manner, the first path PS1, which is the most upstream path, and the second path PS2, which is the most downstream path, are arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction and are in contact with the first battery B1, and the third path PS3, which is the intermediate path, is in contact with the second battery B2. In this embodiment, the first path PS1, which is the most upstream path, the second path PS2, which is the most downstream path, and the third path PS3, which is the intermediate path, are arranged in order in the front-to-rear direction, and the arrangement of the first path PS1, second path PS2, and third path PS3 does not correspond to the order in which the refrigerant flows.

[0045] In order to form the above-described refrigerant flows in the first path PS1, the second path PS2, and the third path PS3, in this embodiment, a bypass pipe 30 is provided in the left header tank 30. An upstream end (one end) of the bypass pipe 30 is connected to the first left space S1 of the left header tank 30, while a downstream end (the other end) of the bypass pipe 30 is connected to the third left space S3 of the left header tank 30. This allows the refrigerant that has flowed into the first left space S1 to bypass the second path PS2 and flow into the third left space S3.

[0046] (Action and effect) The battery cooling system 100 according to this embodiment is operated so that the refrigerant in the refrigerant outlet 50 of the battery cooler 1 becomes gaseous and superheated. The refrigerant, decompressed by the pressure reducing valve 103, flows into the right-side first space R1 through the refrigerant inlet 40, then flows into the first tube A1 constituting the first path PS1, flows leftward through the first tube A1, and flows into the left-side first space S1. The refrigerant that flows into the left-side first space S1 flows through the bypass piping 30 and into the left-side third space S3, then flows into the third tube A3 and the fourth tube A4 constituting the third path PS3, flows rightward through the tubes A3 and A4, and flows into the right-side second space R2. The refrigerant that flows into the right-side second space R2 flows into the second tube A2 constituting the second path PS2, flows leftward through the second tube A2, and flows into the left-side second space S2. The refrigerant that has flowed into the left second space S2 flows out from the refrigerant outlet portion 50 to the outside.

[0047] The cooling capacity of the refrigerant flowing through the first tube A1, which constitutes the first path PS1 (the most upstream path), is the highest among the three paths PS1, PS2, and PS3. Meanwhile, the cooling capacity of the refrigerant flowing through the second tube A2, which constitutes the second path PS2 (the most downstream path), is the lowest among the three paths PS1, PS2, and PS3. The cooling capacity of the refrigerant flowing through the tubes A3 and A4, which constitute the third path PS3 (the intermediate path), is intermediate between the cooling capacity of the first path PS1 and the second path PS2. Therefore, since the first path PS1 and the second path PS2 are in contact with the first battery B1, the high cooling capacity of the first path PS1 compensates for the low cooling capacity of the second path PS2, thereby sufficiently cooling the first battery B1. Furthermore, since the third path PS3, which has a higher cooling capacity than the second path PS2, is in contact with the second battery B2, the second battery B2 is also sufficiently cooled. Therefore, multiple batteries B1 and B2 can be cooled with a single heat exchanger.

[0048] (Embodiment 2) 3 shows a battery cooler 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The battery cooler 1 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that it has six tubes (first to sixth tubes A1 to A6) and is configured to be able to cool batteries B1, B2a, and B2b. Hereinafter, the same parts as those of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and their explanation will be omitted, and only the different parts will be explained in detail. Batteries B2a and B2b are second batteries, respectively.

[0049] The fifth tube A5 is arranged after the fourth tube A4, and the sixth tube A6 is arranged after the fifth tube A5. The fifth tube A5 and the sixth tube A6 are the same as the first tube A1, etc.

[0050] The left header tank 10 is provided with a first left-side partition plate 11, a second left-side partition plate 12, and a third left-side partition plate 13. The first left-side partition plate 11 is provided between the first tube A1 and the second tube A2. The second left-side partition plate 12 is provided between the third tube A3 and the fourth tube A4. The third left-side partition plate 13 is provided between the fifth tube A5 and the sixth tube A6. As a result, the interior of the left header tank 10 is formed with a first left-side space S11 in front of the first left-side partition plate 11, a second left-side space S21 between the first left-side partition plate 11 and the second left-side partition plate 12, a third left-side space S31 between the second left-side partition plate 12 and the third left-side partition plate 13, and a fourth left-side space S41 behind the third left-side partition plate 13.

[0051] The right header tank 20 is provided with a first right-side partition plate 21, a second right-side partition plate 22, and a third right-side partition plate 23. The first right-side partition plate 21 is provided between the second tube A2 and the third tube A3. The second right-side partition plate 22 is provided between the third tube A3 and the fourth tube A4. The third right-side partition plate 23 is provided between the fourth tube A4 and the fifth tube A5. As a result, the interior of the right header tank 20 is formed with a first right-side space R11 in front of the first right-side partition plate 21, a second right-side space R21 between the first right-side partition plate 21 and the second right-side partition plate 22, a third right-side space R31 between the second right-side partition plate 22 and the third right-side partition plate 23, and a fourth right-side space R41 behind the third right-side partition plate 23.

[0052] The right-side header tank 20 is provided with a refrigerant inlet port 40 and a refrigerant outlet port 50. The refrigerant inlet port 40 is provided to correspond to the second right-side space R21. Therefore, refrigerant decompressed by the pressure reducing valve 103 flows into the second right-side space R2. The refrigerant outlet port 50 is provided to correspond to the third right-side space R31. Therefore, the refrigerant inside the third right-side space R31 flows out from the refrigerant outlet port 50 to the outside.

[0053] In this embodiment 2, first to sixth paths PS1 to PS6 are formed. The first path PS1 is made up of a first tube A1, the second path PS2 is made up of a second tube A2, the third path PS3 is made up of a third tube A3, the fourth path PS4 is made up of a fourth tube A4, the fifth path PS5 is made up of a fifth tube A5, and the sixth path PS6 is made up of a sixth tube A6. In other words, all paths PS1 to PS6 are made up of one tube A1 to A6, respectively.

[0054] The most upstream path in the refrigerant flow direction is the third path PS3, and the most downstream path is the fourth path PS4. The third path PS3 and the fourth path PS4 are arranged adjacent to each other and in contact with the first battery B1.

[0055] The first path PS1, the second path PS2, the fifth path PS5, and the sixth path PS6 are intermediate paths between the most upstream path and the most downstream path in the refrigerant flow direction. The first path PS1 and the second path PS2 are arranged adjacent to each other and in contact with the second battery B2a. The fifth path PS5 and the sixth path PS6 are arranged adjacent to each other and in contact with the second battery B2b. The first path PS1 and the second path PS2, and the fifth path PS5 and the sixth path PS6, respectively, constitute a first intermediate path and a second intermediate path aligned in the refrigerant flow direction.

[0056] To form the above-described refrigerant flow, a bypass pipe 31 is provided in the left header tank 30. An upstream end (one end) of the bypass pipe 31 is connected to the first left space S11 of the left header tank 30, while a downstream end (the other end) of the bypass pipe 31 is connected to the fourth left space S41 of the left header tank 30. This allows the refrigerant that has flowed into the first left space S11 to bypass the second path PS2 and flow into the fourth left space S41.

[0057] According to this second embodiment, three batteries B1, B2a, and B2b can be cooled by six tubes A1 to A6.

[0058] (Embodiment 3) 4 shows a battery cooler 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The battery cooler 1 of the third embodiment differs from that of the second embodiment in that the number of paths is five and that the refrigerant outflow portion 50 is provided in the left header tank 10. The differences from the second embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0059] That is, the second left-side partition plate 12 is provided between the second tube A2 and the third tube A3. As a result, the inside of the left-side header tank 10 is formed with a first left-side space S12 in front of the first left-side partition plate 11, a second left-side space S22 between the first left-side partition plate 11 and the second left-side partition plate 12, a third left-side space S32 between the second left-side partition plate 12 and the third left-side partition plate 13, and a fourth left-side space S42 behind the third left-side partition plate 13.

[0060] The first right-side partition plate 21 is provided between the first tube A1 and the second tube A2. The third right-side partition plate is omitted. As a result, the inside of the right-side header tank 20 is formed with a first right-side space R12 in front of the first right-side partition plate 21, a second right-side space R22 between the first right-side partition plate 21 and the second right-side partition plate 22, and a third right-side space R32 behind the second right-side partition plate 22.

[0061] The refrigerant inlet port 40 is provided to correspond to the first right space R12 of the right header tank 20. Therefore, refrigerant decompressed by the pressure reducing valve 103 flows into the first right space R12. The refrigerant outlet port 50 is provided to correspond to the second left space S22 of the left header tank 10. Therefore, refrigerant in the second left space S22 flows out from the refrigerant outlet port 50 to the outside.

[0062] In this embodiment 3, first to fifth passes PS1 to PS5 are formed. The first pass PS1 is made up of a first tube A1, the second pass PS2 is made up of a second tube A2, the third pass PS3 is made up of a third tube A3, the fourth pass PS4 is made up of a fourth tube A4 and a fifth tube A5, and the fifth pass PS5 is made up of a sixth tube A6.

[0063] The most upstream path in the refrigerant flow direction is the first path PS1, and the most downstream path is the second path PS2. The first path PS1 and the second path PS2 are arranged adjacent to each other and in contact with the first battery B1.

[0064] The third path PS3, the fourth path PS4, and the fifth path PS5 are intermediate paths between the most upstream path and the most downstream path in the refrigerant flow direction. The third path PS3 and the fourth path PS2 are arranged adjacent to each other and in contact with the second battery B2b. The fourth path PS4 and the fifth path PS5 are arranged adjacent to each other and in contact with the second battery B2a. The third path PS3, the fourth path PS4, and the fifth path PS5 each constitute a plurality of intermediate paths lined up in the refrigerant flow direction.

[0065] To form the above-described refrigerant flow, a bypass pipe 31 is provided in the left header tank 30. An upstream end (one end) of the bypass pipe 31 is connected to the first left space S12 of the left header tank 30, while a downstream end (the other end) of the bypass pipe 31 is connected to the fourth left space S42 of the left header tank 30. This allows the refrigerant that has flowed into the first left space S12 to bypass the second path PS2, the third path PS3, and the fourth path PS4 and flow into the fourth left space S42.

[0066] According to this third embodiment, three batteries B1, B2a, and B2b can be cooled by five paths PS1 to PS5.

[0067] (Embodiment 4) 5 shows a battery cooler 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The battery cooler 1 of the fourth embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that it has eight tubes (first to eighth tubes A1 to A8) and is configured to be able to cool batteries B1, B2a, B2b, and B2c. Hereinafter, the same parts as those of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and their explanation will be omitted, and only the different parts will be explained in detail. Batteries B2a, B2b, and B2c are the second battery.

[0068] The fifth tube A5 is arranged after the fourth tube A4, and the sixth tube A6 is arranged after the fifth tube A5. The seventh tube A7 is arranged after the sixth tube A6, and the eighth tube A8 is arranged after the seventh tube A7. The fifth to eighth tubes A5 to A8 are the same as the first tube A1, etc.

[0069] The left header tank 10 is provided with a first left-side partition plate 11, a second left-side partition plate 12, and a third left-side partition plate 13. The first left-side partition plate 11 is provided between the first tube A1 and the second tube A2. The second left-side partition plate 12 is provided between the third tube A3 and the fourth tube A4. The third left-side partition plate 13 is provided between the sixth tube A6 and the seventh tube A7. As a result, the interior of the left header tank 10 is formed with a first left-side space S13 in front of the first left-side partition plate 11, a second left-side space S23 between the first left-side partition plate 11 and the second left-side partition plate 12, a third left-side space S33 between the second left-side partition plate 12 and the third left-side partition plate 13, and a fourth left-side space S43 behind the third left-side partition plate 13.

[0070] The right header tank 20 is provided with a first right-side partition plate 21, a second right-side partition plate 22, and a third right-side partition plate 23. The first right-side partition plate 21 is provided between the first tube A1 and the second tube A2. The second right-side partition plate 22 is provided between the second tube A2 and the third tube A3. The third right-side partition plate 23 is provided between the fourth tube A4 and the fifth tube A5. As a result, the interior of the right header tank 20 is formed with a first right-side space R13 in front of the first right-side partition plate 21, a second right-side space R23 between the first right-side partition plate 21 and the second right-side partition plate 22, a third right-side space R33 between the second right-side partition plate 22 and the third right-side partition plate 23, and a fourth right-side space R43 behind the third right-side partition plate 23.

[0071] The right-side header tank 20 is provided with a refrigerant inlet port 40 and a refrigerant outlet port 50. The refrigerant inlet port 40 is provided to correspond to the first right-side space R13. Therefore, refrigerant decompressed by the pressure reducing valve 103 flows into the first right-side space R13. The refrigerant outlet port 50 is provided to correspond to the second right-side space R23. Therefore, refrigerant inside the second right-side space R23 flows out from the refrigerant outlet port 50 to the outside.

[0072] In this embodiment 4, first to sixth passes PS1 to PS6 are formed. The first pass PS1 is made up of the first tube A1, the second pass PS2 is made up of the second tube A2, the third pass PS3 is made up of the third tube A3, the fourth pass PS4 is made up of the fourth tube A4, the fifth pass PS5 is made up of the fifth tube A5 and the sixth tube A6, and the sixth pass PS6 is made up of the seventh tube A7 and the eighth tube A8.

[0073] The most upstream path in the refrigerant flow direction is the first path PS1, and the most downstream path is the second path PS2. The first path PS1 and the second path PS2 are arranged adjacent to each other and in contact with the first battery B1.

[0074] The third path PS3, the fourth path PS4, the fifth path PS5, and the sixth path PS6 are intermediate paths between the most upstream path and the most downstream path in the refrigerant flow direction. The third path PS3 and the fourth path PS4 are arranged adjacent to each other and in contact with the second battery B2c. The fifth path PS5 is arranged in contact with the second battery B2b, and the sixth path PS6 is arranged in contact with the second battery B2a. The third path PS3, the fourth path PS4, the fifth path PS5, and the sixth path PS6 each constitute a plurality of intermediate paths aligned in the refrigerant flow direction.

[0075] To form the above-described refrigerant flow, a bypass pipe 31 is provided in the left header tank 30. An upstream end (one end) of the bypass pipe 31 is connected to the first left space S13 of the left header tank 30, while a downstream end (the other end) of the bypass pipe 31 is connected to the fourth left space S43 of the left header tank 30. This allows the refrigerant that has flowed into the first left space S13 to bypass the second path PS2 and flow into the fourth left space S43.

[0076] According to this fourth embodiment, four batteries B1, B2a, B2b, and B2c can be cooled by eight tubes A1 to A8.

[0077] (Embodiment 5) 6 shows a battery cooler 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The battery cooler 1 of the fifth embodiment has a different path configuration from that of the fourth embodiment by changing the position of the partition plate. The following describes in detail the differences from the fourth embodiment.

[0078] That is, the third left-side partition plate 13 is provided between the seventh tube A7 and the eighth tube A8. As a result, the inside of the left-side header tank 10 is formed with a first left-side space S14 in front of the first left-side partition plate 11, a second left-side space S24 between the first left-side partition plate 11 and the second left-side partition plate 12, a third left-side space S34 between the second left-side partition plate 12 and the third left-side partition plate 13, and a fourth left-side space S44 behind the third left-side partition plate 13.

[0079] The third right-side partition plate 23 is provided between the fifth tube A5 and the sixth tube A6. As a result, the inside of the right-side header tank 20 is formed with a first right-side space R14 in front of the first right-side partition plate 21, a second right-side space R24 between the first right-side partition plate 21 and the second right-side partition plate 22, a third right-side space R34 between the second right-side partition plate 22 and the third right-side partition plate 23, and a fourth right-side space R44 behind the third right-side partition plate 23.

[0080] In this embodiment 5, first to sixth passes PS1 to PS6 are formed. The first pass PS1 is made up of the first tube A1, the second pass PS2 is made up of the second tube A2, the third pass PS3 is made up of the third tube A3, the fourth pass PS4 is made up of the fourth tube A4 and the fifth tube A5, the fifth pass PS5 is made up of the sixth tube A6 and the seventh tube A7, and the sixth pass PS6 is made up of the eighth tube A8.

[0081] The most upstream path in the refrigerant flow direction is the first path PS1, and the most downstream path is the second path PS2. The first path PS1 and the second path PS2 are arranged adjacent to each other and in contact with the first battery B1.

[0082] The third path PS3, the fourth path PS4, the fifth path PS5, and the sixth path PS6 are intermediate paths between the most upstream path and the most downstream path in the refrigerant flow direction. The third path PS3 and the fourth path PS4 are arranged adjacent to each other and in contact with the second battery B2c. The fourth path PS4 and the fifth path PS5 are arranged adjacent to each other and in contact with the second battery B2b, and the fifth path PS5 and the sixth path PS6 are arranged adjacent to each other and in contact with the second battery B2a. The third path PS3, the fourth path PS4, the fifth path PS5, and the sixth path PS6 each constitute a plurality of intermediate paths lined up in the refrigerant flow direction.

[0083] To form the above-described refrigerant flow, a bypass pipe 31 is provided in the left header tank 30. An upstream end (one end) of the bypass pipe 31 is connected to the first left space S14 of the left header tank 30, while a downstream end (the other end) of the bypass pipe 31 is connected to the fourth left space S44 of the left header tank 30. This allows the refrigerant that has flowed into the first left space S14 to bypass the second path PS2, the third path PS3, the fourth path PS4, and the fifth path PS5 and flow into the fourth left space S44.

[0084] According to this embodiment 5, four batteries B1, B2a, B2b, and B2c can be cooled by six paths PS1 to PS6. Also, by limiting the number of downstream paths to two, pressure loss inside the pipes can be reduced.

[0085] The above-described embodiments are merely examples in all respects and should not be construed as limiting. Furthermore, all modifications and variations within the scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0086] As described above, the battery cooler according to the present invention can be used in, for example, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1 Battery Cooler 10 Left side header tank (first header tank) 11, 12, 13 1st to 3rd left side dividers 20 Right side header tank (second header tank) 21, 22, 23 1st to 3rd right side dividers 30, 31 Bypass piping A1~A8 1st~8th tubes B1 First battery B2 Second battery PS1~PS6 Passes 1~6

Claims

1. A vehicle battery cooler includes a first header tank connected to one ends of three or more tubes aligned in a predetermined direction and extending in the predetermined direction, and a second header tank connected to other ends of the tubes and extending in the predetermined direction, and cools a first battery and a second battery separated from each other by a cooling medium circulating inside the tubes, the first header tank and the second header tank are provided with partition plates for dividing the interiors of the first header tank and the second header tank into a plurality of spaces, thereby separating the tubes into three or more paths aligned in the predetermined direction; Among the paths, an upstream path located at the most upstream side in a flow direction of the cooling medium and a downstream path located at the most downstream side in the flow direction of the cooling medium are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other and to be in contact with the first battery, A vehicle battery cooler characterized in that, among the paths, an intermediate path between the most upstream path and the most downstream path in the flow direction of the cooling medium is arranged so as to be in contact with the second battery.

2. 2. The vehicle battery cooler according to claim 1, the most upstream path, the most downstream path, and the intermediate path are arranged in order in the predetermined direction, a first header tank provided with a bypass pipe that allows the refrigerant that has circulated through the most upstream path to bypass the most downstream path and flow into the intermediate path.

3. 3. The vehicle battery cooler according to claim 1, A vehicle battery cooler characterized in that all of the tubes have the same shape.

4. 4. The vehicle battery cooler according to claim 1, a refrigerant inlet port for allowing a refrigerant serving as the cooling medium to flow in is provided in one of the first header tank and the second header tank; a refrigerant outlet portion through which the refrigerant that has flowed in from the refrigerant inlet portion and circulated through the most upstream path, the intermediate path, and the most downstream path is discharged to the outside is provided in one or the other of the first header tank and the second header tank; The vehicle battery cooler is characterized in that the refrigerant in the refrigerant outlet portion becomes superheated.

5. 5. The vehicle battery cooler according to claim 1, A vehicle battery cooler, characterized in that all of the paths are each composed of the same number of tubes.

6. 3. The vehicle battery cooler according to claim 2, the second header tank is provided with a refrigerant inlet portion for allowing the refrigerant serving as the cooling medium to flow in, and a refrigerant outlet portion for allowing the refrigerant that has flowed in from the refrigerant inlet portion and circulated through the most upstream path, the intermediate path, and the most downstream path to flow out to the outside.

7. 7. The vehicle battery cooler according to claim 1, the most upstream path and the most downstream path are each configured with n×1 tubes, The vehicle battery cooler is characterized in that the intermediate path is composed of n x 2 tubes (where n is a natural number starting from 1).

8. 7. The vehicle battery cooler according to claim 1, the most upstream path and the most downstream path are each configured with n×1 tubes, The vehicle battery cooler is characterized in that the intermediate path includes both a path configured with n x 1 of the tubes and a path configured with n x 2 of the tubes (n is a natural number starting from 1).

9. 9. The vehicle battery cooler according to claim 1, The vehicle battery cooler, wherein the intermediate path includes a first intermediate path and a second intermediate path aligned in a flow direction of the cooling medium.

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