Tab cooling structure and tab cooling structure combination

Abstract

To suppress the temperature rise of a tab during rapid charging or discharging due to high-load driving.SOLUTION: A tab cooling structure cools tabs in battery cells. The battery cells are stacked in an X direction, and the tab cooling structure includes a cell main body and the tab protruding from the cell main body in a Y direction. The tab cooling structure includes a first cooling portion, a second cooling portion, a first supply pipe, a second supply pipe, a first discharge pipe, and a second discharge pipe. The first cooling portion is arranged on one side in the X direction of the tab to be cooled. The second cooling portion is arranged on the other side in the X direction of the tab to be cooled. The first supply pipe supplies a refrigerant to the first cooling portion. The second supply pipe supplies a refrigerant to the second cooling portion. The first discharge pipe discharges the refrigerant from the first cooling portion. The second discharge pipe discharges the refrigerant from the second cooling portion. The first cooling portion and the second cooling portion sandwich the tab to be cooled in the X direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure for cooling the tabs of a battery cell and a connector therefor. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, electric vehicles such as EVs and HEVs have become increasingly popular in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and thereby mitigate adverse effects on the global environment. Some batteries installed in electric vehicles and the like include multiple battery cells. The battery cells are stacked in the X direction and include a cell body and a tab that protrudes from the cell body in the Y direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-148244 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventors of the present invention have noticed the following problem with such batteries. The temperature of the tab rises during rapid charging or discharging due to high-load driving. When the temperature of the tab reaches the limit of the allowable range, the temperature of the tab cannot be increased any further, and therefore, the current must be limited. As a result, the temperature of the tab may become the rate-limiting factor during discharging due to rapid charging or high-load driving.

[0005] Specifically, if the temperature of the tab reaches the limit of the allowable range before the temperature of any part of the cell body reaches that limit, the temperature of the tab becomes the rate-limiting factor for discharge during rapid charging or high-load driving.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to suppress a rise in the temperature of the tab during rapid charging or discharging associated with high-load running. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present inventors discovered that the above object can be achieved by providing a predetermined cooling structure for the tab, and thus arrived at the present invention. The present invention is the following tab cooling structures (1) to (8) and tab cooling structure combinations (9) and (10).

[0008] (1) A tab cooling structure for cooling a tab in a battery cell stacked in a predetermined X direction, the battery cell including a cell body and a tab protruding from the cell body in a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction, a first cooling unit disposed on one side in the X direction of the tab to be cooled; a second cooling section disposed on the other side in the X direction of the tab to be cooled; a first supply pipe that supplies a refrigerant to the first cooling section; a second supply pipe that supplies a refrigerant to the second cooling section; a first discharge pipe that discharges the refrigerant from the first cooling section; a second discharge pipe that discharges the refrigerant from the second cooling section, The first cooling unit and the second cooling unit sandwich the tab to be cooled in the X direction. Tub cooling structure.

[0009] According to this configuration, the tab can be cooled by the first cooling section and the second cooling section. This makes it possible to suppress a rise in tab temperature during rapid charging or discharge associated with high-load running. This makes it possible to suppress the tab temperature from becoming a rate-limiting factor during rapid charging or discharge associated with high-load running.

[0010] (2) The first cooling section and the second cooling section sandwich a part of the cell main body in the X direction. The tab cooling structure according to (1) above.

[0011] This configuration allows not only the tab but also part of the cell body to be cooled, which prevents the temperature of that part of the cell body from becoming a rate-limiting factor during rapid charging or discharging associated with high-load driving.

[0012] (3) The cell body includes, at the end on the Y-direction side, a tab joint that electrically connects a predetermined electrode body and the tab, and an insulator protrusion that covers at least a portion of the tab joint and a portion of the tab; The first cooling section and the second cooling section sandwich the protruding portion in the X direction, thereby sandwiching at least a portion of the tab joint portion and at least a portion of the tab in the X direction. The tab cooling structure according to (2) above.

[0013] This configuration allows the tab joint to be cooled in addition to the tab, which prevents the temperature of the tab joint from becoming a rate-limiting factor during rapid charging or discharging associated with high-load driving.

[0014] (4) a first unit including a first body, the first supply pipe, the first cooling unit, and the first discharge pipe, wherein the first body houses the first supply pipe, the first cooling unit, and the first discharge pipe; a second unit including a second body, the second supply pipe, the second cooling unit, and the second discharge pipe, wherein the second body houses the second supply pipe, the second cooling unit, and the second discharge pipe; The tab cooling structure according to any one of (1) to (3) above, comprising:

[0015] With this configuration, the first body can unitize the first supply pipe, the first cooling section, and the first discharge pipe. Furthermore, the second body can unitize the second supply pipe, the second cooling section, and the second discharge pipe. These features allow for a simplified tub cooling structure.

[0016] (5) A longitudinal intermediate portion of the first unit and a longitudinal intermediate portion of the second unit are configured to be relatively movable in the X direction, The tab is inserted between a longitudinally intermediate portion of the first unit and a longitudinally intermediate portion of the second unit. The tab cooling structure according to (4) above.

[0017] According to this configuration, the tab can be easily inserted between the longitudinal intermediate portion of the first unit and the longitudinal intermediate portion of the second unit.

[0018] (6) A first engagement portion is formed on the first body, The second body is formed with a second engagement portion, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion engage with each other, thereby engaging the first unit and the second unit with each other; The tab is disposed between the first unit and the second unit. The tab cooling structure according to (4) above.

[0019] According to this configuration, by engaging the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion with each other, the tab can be easily disposed between the first unit and the second unit.

[0020] (7) The refrigerant is supplied from the first supply pipe to the lower part of the first cooling unit, and the refrigerant is discharged from the upper part of the first cooling unit to the first discharge pipe, so that the refrigerant flows from bottom to top within the first cooling unit, The refrigerant is supplied from the second supply pipe to a lower part of the second cooling unit, and the refrigerant is discharged from an upper part of the second cooling unit to the second discharge pipe, so that the refrigerant flows from bottom to top within the second cooling unit. The tab cooling structure according to any one of (1) to (6) above.

[0021] With this configuration, the first cooling unit can be filled with refrigerant from the bottom while only the excess refrigerant can be discharged from the top of the first cooling unit. This makes it difficult for air to get into the first cooling unit. Similarly, it makes it difficult for air to get into the second cooling unit.

[0022] (8) The battery cell is an all-solid-state battery having a solid electrolyte layer therein. The tab cooling structure according to any one of (1) to (7) above.

[0023] When the battery cell is an all-solid-state battery, the operating temperature range is wide, and the temperature of the tab is likely to reach its limit before the temperature of any part of the cell body reaches its limit. As a result, the temperature of the tab is likely to become the rate-limiting factor in discharge during rapid charging or high-load driving. As a result, the effect of (1) above, which can suppress the temperature rise of the tab during discharge during rapid charging or high-load driving, can be more significantly achieved.

[0024] (9) A plurality of the tab cooling structures according to any one of (1) to (8) are arranged in the X direction, The tab cooling structures adjacent to each other in the X direction are connected to each other, the tabs of the battery cells are cooled by the tab cooling structures; Tab cooling structure connection body.

[0025] This configuration allows cooling of each tab of a plurality of battery cells. Also, by connecting adjacent tab cooling structures in the X direction, it is possible to prevent the battery cells from shifting in position in the X direction.

[0026] (10) a first supply pipe connection portion that connects the first supply pipes in the tab cooling structures adjacent to each other in the X direction; a second supply pipe connecting portion that connects the second supply pipes in the tub cooling structures adjacent to each other in the X direction; a first exhaust pipe connecting portion that connects the first exhaust pipes in the tub cooling structures adjacent to each other in the X direction; a second exhaust pipe connecting portion that connects the second exhaust pipes in the tub cooling structures adjacent to each other in the X direction; The tab cooling structure assembly according to (9) above,

[0027] According to this configuration, by connecting the first supply pipes together, the refrigerant can be efficiently supplied to each of the multiple first cooling sections. Furthermore, by connecting the second supply pipes together, the refrigerant can be efficiently supplied to each of the multiple second cooling sections. Furthermore, by connecting the first discharge pipes together, the refrigerant can be efficiently discharged from each of the multiple first cooling sections. Furthermore, by connecting the second discharge pipes together, the refrigerant can be efficiently discharged from each of the second cooling sections. Furthermore, with this connection configuration, the number of connected tab cooling structures can be adjusted to match the number of stacked battery cells, making it easy to accommodate differences in the number of stacked battery cells. This makes the tab cooling structure combination highly versatile. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] As described above, the configuration (1) can suppress the temperature rise of the tab during rapid charging or discharging due to high-load running. Furthermore, the configurations (2) to (10) that cite the configuration (1) can provide additional effects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a tab cooling structure connected body and its surroundings in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a tab cooling structure connecting body and its surroundings. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a tab cooling structure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the first and second units on the left and the interior thereof on the right. [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view showing the state of FIG. 1 with the first body and the second body omitted. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the tab cooling structure and its surroundings. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a tab to which the tab cooling structure is attached and its surroundings. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cooling circuit. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a cooling circuit. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a tab cooling structure according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and can be appropriately modified and implemented within the scope of the present invention.

[0031] [First embodiment] This embodiment relates to a technique for cooling a portion of the battery 100 shown in Fig. 1. Hereinafter, two predetermined directions that intersect at right angles in a horizontal plane will be referred to as the "X direction" and the "Y direction." One side in the X direction will be referred to as the "X- side," and the opposite side will be referred to as the "X+ side." One side in the Y direction will be referred to as the "Y- side," and the opposite side will be referred to as the "Y+ side."

[0032] The battery 100 shown in Fig. 1 includes a plurality of battery cells 20, a plurality of tab cooling structures 90 on the Y- side, and a plurality of tab cooling structures (not shown) on the Y+ side. The plurality of tab cooling structures 90 on the Y- side each constitute a part of a Y-side tab cooling structure assembly 99. A refrigerant is supplied to this Y-side tab cooling structure assembly 99 from a refrigerant circuit 200 shown in Figs. 8 and 9, for example. The plurality of tab cooling structures (not shown) on the Y+ side each constitute a part of the Y+ side tab cooling structure assembly 99. A refrigerant is also supplied to this Y+ side tab cooling structure assembly 99 from the refrigerant circuit 200.

[0033] First, the multiple battery cells 20 shown in Fig. 1 will be described. The battery cells 20 are stacked in the X direction. Each battery cell 20 is a laminated all-solid-state battery. As shown in Fig. 2, each battery cell 20 includes a cell body 25, a tab 27 on the Y- side, and a tab (not shown) on the Y+ side.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 7, the cell body 25 extends in the vertical direction and the Y direction. As shown in Fig. 6, the cell body 25 includes a tab joint 23 on the Y- side, one electrode body 22, a solid electrolyte layer (not shown), the other electrode body (not shown), a tab joint (not shown) on the Y+ side, and a laminate 24.

[0035] One electrode body 22 is one of the positive and negative electrode bodies, and extends in the vertical and Y directions. The other electrode body (not shown) is the other of the positive and negative electrode bodies, and extends in the vertical and Y directions on the X-direction side of the one electrode body 22. A solid electrolyte layer (not shown) extends in the vertical and Y directions between the one electrode body 22 and the other electrode body (not shown).

[0036] The Y-side tab 27 is a conductor that extends in the vertical direction and protrudes from the cell body 25 to the Y- side. The Y+ side tab (not shown) is a conductor that extends in the vertical direction and protrudes from the cell body 25 to the Y+ side.

[0037] The Y-side tab joint 23 is a conductor extending in the vertical direction, and electrically connects the Y-side tab 27 to one of the electrode bodies 22. The Y+ side tab joint (not shown) is a conductor extending in the vertical direction, and electrically connects the Y+ side tab (not shown) to the other electrode body (not shown). From the above, one of the Y-side tab 27 and the Y+ side tab (not shown) is a positive electrode tab as a positive electrode, and the other is a negative electrode tab as a negative electrode.

[0038] 6 is an insulator that includes a main portion 24a, a Y-side protrusion 24b that protrudes from the main portion 24a toward the Y- side, and a Y+-side protrusion (not shown) that protrudes from the main portion 24a toward the Y+ side. The main portion 24a covers the Y+-side portion of the Y-side tab joint 23, one electrode body 22, the solid electrolyte layer (not shown), the other electrode body (not shown), and the Y-side portion of the Y+-side tab joint (not shown).

[0039] The Y-side protrusion 24b covers the Y+ side portion of the Y-side tab 27 and the Y- side portion of the Y-side tab joint 23. The Y+ side protrusion (not shown) covers the Y- side portion of the Y+ side tab (not shown) and the Y+ side portion of the Y+ side tab joint (not shown). As a result, the Y-side tab 27 protrudes further toward the Y- side from the Y-side protrusion 24b, and the Y+ side tab (not shown) protrudes further toward the Y+ side from the Y+ side protrusion (not shown).

[0040] Inter-cell members 30 including a cushioning material or a heat insulating material are arranged between the battery cells 20. These inter-cell members 30 may extend to the sides of the Y-side tab 27 and the Y+ side tab (not shown) or may be contained within the range of the sides of the cell main body 25, as long as they do not interfere with the Y-side tab cooling structure 90 and the Y+ side tab cooling structure (not shown).

[0041] 1, a tab cooling structure 90 is attached to each tab 27 of the battery cell 20. Then, the tips of the tabs 27 of predetermined battery cells 20 adjacent to each other in the X direction are electrically connected to each other via a bus bar 40.

[0042] Next, a description will be given of each tab cooling structure 90 on the Y-side shown in Fig. 1. One Y-side tab cooling structure 90 is provided for each tab 27 on the Y-side.

[0043] 1, each tab cooling structure 90 on the Y-side includes a first unit 70 and a second unit 80. Both the first unit 70 and the second unit 80 are made of an insulating material and extend in the vertical direction. The first unit 70 is disposed on the X- side of the tab 27 to be cooled, and the second unit 80 is disposed on the X+ side of the tab 27 to be cooled.

[0044] 4, the first unit 70 includes a first body 72, a first supply pipe 74, a first cooling section 75, and a first discharge pipe 76. The first body 72 houses the first supply pipe 74, the first cooling section 75, and the second supply pipe 84 inside. The first cooling section 75 extends in the vertical direction within the first body 72, and is configured to allow a refrigerant to pass through the inside thereof.

[0045] The first supply pipe 74 extends in the X direction near the lower end of the first cooling section 75. An intermediate portion of the first supply pipe 74 in the X direction is connected to the lower end of the first cooling section 75 and supplies the refrigerant into the first cooling section 75. The first discharge pipe 76 extends in the X direction near the upper end of the first cooling section 75. An intermediate portion of the first discharge pipe 76 in the X direction is connected to the upper end of the first cooling section 75 and discharges the refrigerant from the first cooling section 75.

[0046] The second unit 80 includes a second body 82, a second supply pipe 84, a second cooling section 85, and a second discharge pipe 86. The description of this second unit 80 is similar to the description of the first unit 70 above, except that "first" is replaced with "second" and the reference numerals are replaced with the corresponding ones.

[0047] 3, the upper end of the first body 72 and the upper end of the second body 82 are connected to each other. The lower end of the first body 72 and the lower end of the second body 82 are connected to each other. A first recess R1 recessed toward the X- side is provided on a side portion on the X+ side in the vertical middle portion of the first body 72. A second recess R2 recessed toward the X+ side is provided on a side portion on the X- side in the vertical middle portion of the second body 82. As a result, a gap G consisting of the first recess R1 and the second recess R2 is formed between the first body 72 and the second body 82.

[0048] The first unit 70 and the second unit 80 are each flexible. Therefore, a vertically intermediate portion of the first unit 70 and a vertically intermediate portion of the second unit 80 are configured to be relatively displaceable in the X direction. Therefore, when assembling the battery 100, the gap G can be widened in the X direction to insert the tab 27 into the gap G. With the tab 27 inserted into the gap G, as shown in FIG. 6 , the first cooling section 75 and the second cooling section 85 sandwich the protruding portion 24b of the cell main body 25 in the X direction. As a result, the first cooling section 75 and the second cooling section 85 sandwich the Y+-side portion of the Y-side tab 27 and the Y-side portion of the Y-side tab joint 23 in the X direction.

[0049] Next, the Y+ side tab cooling structure (not shown) will be described. The description of the Y+ side tab cooling structure (not shown) is the same as the description of the Y- side tab cooling structure 90, except that "Y-" and "Y+" are replaced with the other, and the reference numerals of the tab cooling structure and its components are replaced with "(not shown)".

[0050] Next, a description will be given of the Y-side tab cooling structure linked body 99 shown in Fig. 1. In the Y-side tab cooling structure linked body 99, the Y-side tab cooling structures 90 adjacent to each other in the X direction are linked together.

[0051] 2, a first supply pipe connecting portion 74c, a second supply pipe connecting portion 84c, a first discharge pipe connecting portion 76c, and a second discharge pipe connecting portion 86c are provided between adjacent tab cooling structures 90 in the Y direction. Each of the first supply pipe connecting portion 74c, the second supply pipe connecting portion 84c, the first discharge pipe connecting portion 76c, and the second discharge pipe connecting portion 86c includes an O-ring.

[0052] The first supply pipe connecting portion 74c connects the first supply pipes 74 adjacent to each other in the X direction. The second supply pipe connecting portion 84c connects the second supply pipes 84 adjacent to each other in the X direction. The first discharge pipe connecting portion 76c connects the first discharge pipes 76 adjacent to each other in the X direction. The second discharge pipe connecting portion 86c connects the second discharge pipes 86 adjacent to each other in the X direction. The X+ side end of the first supply pipe 74 closest to the X+ side, the X+ side end of the second supply pipe 84 closest to the X+ side, the X+ side end of the first discharge pipe 76 closest to the X+ side, and the X+ side end of the second discharge pipe 86 closest to the X+ side are blocked.

[0053] The first supply pipe 74 closest to the X-side is connected to a first supply unit 217 of a predetermined refrigerant supply pipe 210. The second supply pipe 84 closest to the X-side is connected to a second supply unit 218 of the refrigerant supply pipe 210.

[0054] The first discharge pipe 76 closest to the X-side is connected to the first discharge portion 227 of a given refrigerant discharge pipe 220. The second discharge pipe 86 closest to the X-side is connected to the second discharge portion 228 of the refrigerant discharge pipe 220.

[0055] The first supply unit 217 supplies the refrigerant to each of the first supply pipes 74 connected in sequence in the X direction. The second supply unit 218 supplies the refrigerant to each of the second supply pipes 84 connected in sequence in the X direction.

[0056] The first discharge portion 227 discharges the refrigerant from each of the first discharge pipes 76 connected in sequence in the X direction. The second discharge portion 228 discharges the refrigerant from each of the second discharge pipes 86 connected in sequence in the X direction.

[0057] 5 , the refrigerant is supplied from the first supply pipe 74 to the lower part of the first cooling section 75, and the refrigerant is discharged from the upper part of the first cooling section 75 to the first discharge pipe 76. As a result, the refrigerant flows from the bottom to the top of the first cooling section 75. Similarly, in each tab cooling structure 90, the refrigerant is supplied from the second supply pipe 84 to the lower part of the second cooling section 85, and the refrigerant is discharged from the upper part of the second cooling section 85 to the second discharge pipe 86. As a result, the refrigerant flows from the bottom to the top of the second cooling section 85.

[0058] For the above reasons, the refrigerant flows in parallel from bottom to top through each of the first cooling sections 75 aligned in the X direction. Similarly, the refrigerant flows in parallel from bottom to top through each of the second cooling sections 85 aligned in the X direction. For these reasons, the Y-side tab cooling structure linked body 99 cools the Y-side tabs 27 of each of the battery cells 20 aligned in the X direction by each of the Y-side tab cooling structures 90 aligned in the X direction.

[0059] Next, we will explain the Y+ side tab cooling structure assembly 99 shown in Figures 8 and 9. The explanation for the Y+ side tab cooling structure assembly 99 is the same as the explanation for the Y- side tab cooling structure assembly 99 above, except that "Y-" is read as "Y+" and the reference numerals of the components of the tab cooling structure assembly 99 are read as "(not shown)".

[0060] Next, a refrigerant circuit 200 shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 will be described. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the refrigerant circuit 200 includes a tank 250, a pump 260, and a heat exchanger 270. A refrigerant is stored in the tank 250. The pump 260 pressurizes the refrigerant and circulates the refrigerant between the tank 250, the Y-side and Y+ side tub cooling structure linked bodies 99, and the heat exchanger 270. This refrigerant circuit 200 may be provided separately from a circuit 300 that supplies refrigerant to a refrigerant passage 101 below the battery 100, as shown in Fig. 8, or may be formed integrally with that circuit, as shown in Fig. 9.

[0061] 8 and 9, the refrigerant is supplied in parallel to the Y-side tab cooling structure connected body 99 and the Y+ side tab cooling structure connected body 99, but it may be supplied in series. Also, in Fig. 9, the refrigerant is supplied in parallel to each tab cooling structure connected body 99 and the refrigerant passage 101 below the battery 100, but it may be supplied in series.

[0062] The configuration and effects of this embodiment are summarized below.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 5 , the first cooling unit 75 is disposed closer to the X- direction than the tub 27 it cools. The second cooling unit 85 is disposed closer to the X+ direction than the tub 27 it cools. The first supply pipe 74 supplies the refrigerant to the first cooling unit 75. The second supply pipe 84 supplies the refrigerant to the second cooling unit 85. The first discharge pipe 76 discharges the refrigerant from the first cooling unit 75. The second discharge pipe 86 discharges the refrigerant from the second cooling unit 85. The first cooling unit 75 and the second cooling unit 85 sandwich the tub 27 they cool in the X direction. Therefore, the tub 27 can be cooled by the first cooling unit 75 and the second cooling unit 85. This can suppress a temperature rise in the tub 27 during rapid charging of the battery 100 or during discharge due to high-load driving. This can suppress the temperature of the tub 27 from becoming a rate-limiting factor during rapid charging or discharge due to high-load driving. This allows for the application of large currents and allows for rapid charging and discharge during high-load driving.

[0064] 6, the first cooling section 75 and the second cooling section 85 sandwich the protruding portion 24b of the cell body 25 in the X direction, thereby sandwiching a part of the tab joint portion 23 and a part of the tab 27 in the X direction. This allows the tab joint portion 23 to be cooled in addition to the tab 27. This also prevents the temperature of the tab joint portion 23 from becoming rate-limiting during rapid charging or discharging associated with high-load driving.

[0065] The first body 72 shown in FIG. 4 houses a first supply pipe 74, a first cooling section 75, and a first discharge pipe 76. The first body 72 allows the first supply pipe 74, the first cooling section 75, and the first discharge pipe 76 to be unitized. The second body 82 houses a second supply pipe 84, a second cooling section 85, and a second discharge pipe 86. The second body 82 allows the second supply pipe 84, the second cooling section 85, and the second discharge pipe 86 to be unitized. These features enable the tab cooling structure 90 to be simplified.

[0066] 3, the vertical intermediate portion of the first unit 70 and the vertical intermediate portion of the second unit 80 are configured to be relatively movable in the X direction. Therefore, the tab 27 can be easily inserted between the vertical intermediate portion of the first unit 70 and the vertical intermediate portion of the second unit 80.

[0067] 5 to the lower part of the first cooling section 75, and then discharged from the upper part of the first cooling section 75 to the first discharge pipe 76, whereby the refrigerant flows from bottom to top within the first cooling section 75. As a result, the first cooling section 75 can be filled with refrigerant from the bottom, while only the excess refrigerant can be discharged from the upper part of the first cooling section 75. This makes it difficult for air to get mixed in the first cooling section 75. By a similar mechanism, it is also difficult for air to get mixed in the second cooling section 85.

[0068] The battery cell 20 shown in Fig. 1 is an all-solid-state battery having a solid electrolyte layer therein. When the battery cell 20 is an all-solid-state battery, the operating temperature range is wide, and the temperature of the tab 27 is likely to reach its limit before the temperature of any part of the cell body 25 reaches the limit of the allowable range. As a result, the temperature of the tab 27 is likely to become the rate-limiting factor in discharge during rapid charging or high-load driving. As a result, the aforementioned effect of suppressing the temperature rise of the tab 27 during discharge during rapid charging or high-load driving can be more significantly achieved.

[0069] 1, the tab cooling structure assembly 99 includes a plurality of tab cooling structures 90 arranged in the X direction. The tab cooling structures 90 adjacent to each other in the X direction are connected to each other. The plurality of tab cooling structures 90 can cool each tab 27 of the plurality of battery cells 20. Furthermore, by connecting the tab cooling structures 90 adjacent to each other in the X direction, it is possible to suppress misalignment of each battery cell 20 in the X direction.

[0070] 2, the first supply pipe connecting portion 74c connects the first supply pipes 74 in the tab cooling structures 90 adjacent to each other in the X direction. The second supply pipe connecting portion 84c connects the second supply pipes 84 in the tab cooling structures 90 adjacent to each other in the X direction. The first discharge pipe connecting portion 76c connects the first discharge pipes 76 in the tab cooling structures 90 adjacent to each other in the X direction. The second discharge pipe connecting portion 86c connects the second discharge pipes 86 in the tab cooling structures 90 adjacent to each other in the X direction.

[0071] In this manner, by connecting the first supply pipes 74 together, the refrigerant can be efficiently supplied to each of the multiple first cooling sections 75. Furthermore, by connecting the second supply pipes 84 together, the refrigerant can be efficiently supplied to each of the multiple second cooling sections 85. Furthermore, by connecting the first discharge pipes 76 together, the refrigerant can be efficiently discharged from each of the multiple second cooling sections 85. Furthermore, by connecting the second discharge pipes 86 together, the refrigerant can be efficiently discharged from each of the second cooling sections 85. Furthermore, with this connection configuration, the number of connected tab cooling structures 90 can be adjusted according to the number of stacked battery cells 20, making it easy to accommodate differences in the number of stacked battery cells. This makes the tab cooling structure combination 99 highly versatile.

[0072] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. This embodiment will be described based on the first embodiment, focusing on differences from the first embodiment, and descriptions of the same or similar aspects to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0073] First engagement portions 72a are formed at the upper and lower ends of the X+ side of the first body 72. Second engagement portions 82a are formed at the upper and lower ends of the X- side of the second body 82. In this embodiment, the first engagement portions 72a are convex portions and the second engagement portions 82a are concave portions, but the first engagement portions 72a may be concave portions and the second engagement portions 82a may be convex portions.

[0074] The first and second units 70 and 80 are engaged with each other by the first and second engaging portions 72a and 82a engaging with each other. A tab 27 is disposed between the first and second units 70 and 80.

[0075] According to this embodiment, the tab 27 can be easily disposed between the first unit 70 and the second unit 80 by engaging the first engaging portion 72a and the second engaging portion 82a with each other.

[0076] [Other embodiments] The embodiment described above can be modified as follows, for example.

[0077] 1 may be a battery other than an all-solid-state battery, such as a semi-solid-state battery or a liquid lithium-ion battery. In the battery cell 20, if the temperature rise of only a specific tab 27 is a problem, the tab cooling structure 90 may be provided only for that specific tab 27.

[0078] The vertical direction in each embodiment may be rotated as a whole so as to be oblique to the vertical direction, or the embodiment may be rotated as a whole so that one of the X direction and the Y direction in each embodiment becomes the vertical direction, or the one of the X direction and the Y direction becomes oblique to the vertical direction.

[0079] 4 does not need to be unitized, the first body 72 may be eliminated. Similarly, if there is no need to unitize the second supply pipe 84, the second cooling section 85, and the second discharge pipe 86, the second body 82 may be eliminated.

[0080] If there is no particular problem with flowing the refrigerant from top to bottom or horizontally through the first cooling section 75 or the second cooling section 85 shown in Fig. 5, the refrigerant may be flowed from top to bottom or horizontally. If there is no particular need to cool the tab joint portion 23 shown in Fig. 6, the first cooling section 75 and the second cooling section 85 may sandwich only the tab 27 in the X direction. The first cooling section 75 and the second cooling section 85 may sandwich the entire tab 27 or the entire tab joint portion 23 in the X direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 20 battery cells 22 Electrode body 23 Tab joint 25 Cell body 27 tabs 40 Busbar 70 Unit 1 72 First Body 74 1st supply pipe 74c 1st supply pipe connection 75 1st cooling section 76 1st discharge pipe 76c 1st discharge pipe connection 80 Unit 2 82 Second Body 84 2nd supply pipe 84c 2nd supply pipe connection 85 Second cooling section 86 2nd discharge pipe 86c 2nd discharge pipe connection 90 Tab cooling structure 99 Tab cooling structure connection body 100 Battery

Claims

1. A tab cooling structure for cooling a tab in a battery cell stacked in a predetermined X direction, the battery cell including a cell body and a tab protruding from the cell body in a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction, a first cooling unit disposed on one side in the X direction of the tab to be cooled; a second cooling section disposed on the other side in the X direction of the tab to be cooled; a first supply pipe that supplies a refrigerant to the first cooling section; a second supply pipe that supplies a refrigerant to the second cooling section; a first discharge pipe that discharges the refrigerant from the first cooling section; a second discharge pipe that discharges the refrigerant from the second cooling section, The first cooling unit and the second cooling unit sandwich the tab to be cooled and a part of the cell main body in the X direction. Tub cooling structure.

2. the cell body includes, at an end on the Y-direction side, a tab joint portion that electrically connects a predetermined electrode body and the tab, and an insulator protrusion portion that covers at least a portion of the tab joint portion and a portion of the tab; The first cooling section and the second cooling section sandwich the protruding portion in the X direction, thereby sandwiching at least a portion of the tab joint portion and at least a portion of the tab in the X direction. The tub cooling structure according to claim 1 .

3. a first unit including a first body, the first supply pipe, the first cooling unit, and the first discharge pipe, wherein the first body houses the first supply pipe, the first cooling unit, and the first discharge pipe; a second unit including a second body, the second supply pipe, the second cooling unit, and the second discharge pipe, the second body housing the second supply pipe, the second cooling unit, and the second discharge pipe; The tab cooling structure according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. a longitudinal intermediate portion of the first unit and a longitudinal intermediate portion of the second unit are configured to be relatively movable in the X direction, the tab is inserted between a longitudinally intermediate portion of the first unit and a longitudinally intermediate portion of the second unit; The tub cooling structure according to claim 3 .

5. The first body is formed with a first engagement portion, The second body is formed with a second engagement portion, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion engage with each other, thereby engaging the first unit and the second unit with each other; The tab is disposed between the first unit and the second unit. The tub cooling structure according to claim 3 .

6. A tab cooling structure for cooling a tab in a battery cell stacked in a predetermined X direction, the battery cell including a cell body and a tab protruding from the cell body in a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction, A first unit and a second unit are provided, the first unit includes a first body, a first cooling section disposed on one side in the X direction of the tub to be cooled, a first supply pipe that supplies a refrigerant to the first cooling section, and a first discharge pipe that discharges the refrigerant from the first cooling section; the first body houses the first supply pipe, the first cooling unit, and the first discharge pipe; the second unit includes a second body, a second cooling unit disposed on the other side in the X direction of the tub to be cooled, a second supply pipe that supplies a refrigerant to the second cooling unit, and a second discharge pipe that discharges the refrigerant from the second cooling unit, the second body houses the second supply pipe, the second cooling unit, and the second discharge pipe; The first body is formed with a first engagement portion, The second body is formed with a second engagement portion, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion engage with each other, thereby engaging the first unit and the second unit with each other; The tab to be cooled is disposed between the first unit and the second unit, so that the first cooling unit and the second cooling unit sandwich the tab to be cooled in the X direction. Tub cooling structure.

7. a refrigerant is supplied from the first supply pipe to a lower part of the first cooling unit, and the refrigerant is discharged from an upper part of the first cooling unit to the first discharge pipe, whereby the refrigerant flows from bottom to top within the first cooling unit; The refrigerant is supplied from the second supply pipe to a lower part of the second cooling unit, and the refrigerant is discharged from an upper part of the second cooling unit to the second discharge pipe, so that the refrigerant flows from bottom to top within the second cooling unit. The tab cooling structure according to claim 1 or 6.

8. The battery cell is an all-solid-state battery having a solid electrolyte layer therein. The tab cooling structure according to claim 1 or 6.

9. a plurality of the tab cooling structures according to claim 1 or 6 arranged in the X direction; The tab cooling structures adjacent to each other in the X direction are connected to each other, the tabs of the battery cells are cooled by the tab cooling structures; Tab cooling structure connection body.

10. A tab cooling structure for cooling a tab in a battery cell stacked in a predetermined X direction, the battery cell including a cell body and a tab protruding from the cell body in a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction, a first cooling unit disposed on one side in the X direction of the tab to be cooled; a second cooling section disposed on the other side in the X direction of the tab to be cooled; a first supply pipe that supplies a refrigerant to the first cooling section; a second supply pipe that supplies a refrigerant to the second cooling section; a first discharge pipe that discharges the refrigerant from the first cooling section; a second discharge pipe that discharges the refrigerant from the second cooling section, The first cooling unit and the second cooling unit sandwich the tab to be cooled in the X direction. Tab cooling structure, arranged in the X direction, The tab cooling structures adjacent to each other in the X direction are connected to each other, the tabs of the battery cells are cooled by the tab cooling structures; Tab cooling structure connection body.

11. a first supply pipe connecting portion that connects the first supply pipes in the tub cooling structures adjacent to each other in the X direction; a second supply pipe connecting portion that connects the second supply pipes in the tub cooling structures adjacent to each other in the X direction; a first exhaust pipe connecting portion that connects the first exhaust pipes in the tub cooling structures adjacent to each other in the X direction; a second exhaust pipe connecting portion that connects the second exhaust pipes in the tub cooling structures adjacent to each other in the X direction; The tab cooling structure combination of claim 10 , comprising:

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