Battery module

Abstract

To reduce a difference between an actual temperature of a battery and a detection temperature of a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the battery.SOLUTION: A battery module 10 comprises: a battery 100; a structure 200 located at least at a part of the circumference of the battery 100; a temperature sensor 300 located between the battery 100 and the structure 200; and an orientation part that directs the temperature detection range of the temperature sensor 300 toward the battery 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, various battery modules equipped with temperature sensors for detecting the temperature of the batteries have been developed. For example, the battery module described in Patent Document 1 includes a heat transfer plate in contact with the surface of a cylindrical battery. This heat transfer plate surrounds the temperature sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-179938 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A structure that adjusts the temperature of the battery by, for example, cooling or heating may be provided around the battery. In this case, for example, in the battery module described in Patent Document 1, the difference between the temperature of the battery and the temperature of the structure may cause a relatively large difference between the actual temperature of the battery and the temperature detected by a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the battery.

[0005] One example of an object of the present invention is to reduce the difference between the actual temperature of the battery and the temperature detected by a temperature sensor used to detect the temperature of the battery. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is Batteries and a structure located at least partially around the periphery of the battery; a temperature sensor located between the battery and the structure; an orientation unit that directs the temperature detection range of the temperature sensor toward the battery; The battery module includes:

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is Batteries and a structure located at least partially around the periphery of the battery; a temperature sensor located between the battery and the structure; a heat shield element, at least a portion of which is located between the temperature sensor and the structure; The battery module includes: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the difference between the actual temperature of the battery and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the battery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the battery module according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a graph showing the time transition of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor in each of the battery module according to Example 1, the battery module according to Example 2, and the battery module according to the comparative example, together with the time transition of the water-cooling temperature. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of the battery module according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a front view of a portion of a battery module according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a front view of a portion of a battery module according to a comparative example. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view of a battery module according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view of a battery module 10 according to an embodiment.

[0012] The battery module 10 according to the embodiment includes a battery 100, a structure 200, a temperature sensor 300, and a heat-shielding element 400. The battery 100 has an exterior material 110 and leads 120.

[0013] For the sake of explanation, the front side of the paper in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the front side of battery 100, and the back side of the paper in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the rear side of battery 100. However, the directions of the front and rear sides of battery 100 will differ depending on the position of battery 100 when in use.

[0014] The battery 100 according to the embodiment is a laminated lithium-ion secondary battery. The battery 100 has a laminate including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator (not shown) as a battery element. This laminate is sealed in an exterior packaging 110. One of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is electrically connected to a lead 120. The lead 120 extends forward from the front surface of the exterior packaging 110. The other of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is electrically connected to a lead (not shown) provided on the rear surface of the exterior packaging 110. The lead (not shown) provided on the rear surface of the exterior packaging 110 extends backward from the rear surface of the exterior packaging 110. However, the arrangement of the leads is not limited to this example. For example, both a positive electrode lead electrically connected to the positive electrode and a negative electrode lead electrically connected to the negative electrode may be provided on one of the front and rear surfaces of the exterior packaging 110.

[0015] The structure of the battery 100 is not limited to the structure according to the embodiment. For example, the battery 100 may be a wound lithium-ion secondary battery. In this example, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator are wound as battery elements inside the exterior packaging 110. The battery 100 may also be a type of battery other than a lithium-ion secondary battery.

[0016] At least a portion of the structure 200 is located around the battery 100. In an embodiment, the structure 200 is a container that houses the battery 100. For example, the structure 200 houses one or more batteries 100. The structure 200 is made of a material with relatively high thermal conductivity. For example, the thermal conductivity of the structure 200 is 100 W / m·K or more. The structure 200 is made of a metal such as aluminum.

[0017] At least a portion of the structure 200 may operate as a member for adjusting the temperature of the battery 100. For example, by flowing a coolant through the structure 200, at least a portion of the structure 200 can be operated as a cooling member. By operating at least a portion of the structure 200 as a cooling member, overheating of the battery 100 can be suppressed. In this case, more active heat exchange can be performed between the battery 100 and the structure 200 compared to natural air cooling of the battery 100. Alternatively, for example, when the battery module 10 is used at a relatively low temperature of about −25° C., it is necessary to raise the temperature of the battery 100 when rapidly charging the battery 100. In this case, the temperature of the battery 100 can be raised by operating at least a portion of the structure 200 as a heating member.

[0018] The temperature sensor 300 is located between the battery 100 and the structure 200. The temperature sensor 300 is, for example, a thermistor. In the embodiment, the temperature sensor 300 is attached to a side surface of the exterior packaging material 110. For example, the temperature sensor 300 is in direct contact with the side surface of the exterior packaging material 110. As a result, the temperature sensor 300 is fixed or adhered to the side surface of the exterior packaging material 110. Note that the position at which the temperature sensor 300 is attached to the battery 100 is not limited to the position described in the embodiment. When the temperature sensor 300 is attached to the battery 100, the temperature sensor 300 can be brought closer to the battery 100 than when the temperature sensor 300 is spaced apart from the battery 100. Therefore, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 300 can be brought closer to the actual temperature of the battery 100. However, the temperature sensor 300 may be spaced apart from the battery 100.

[0019] At least a portion of the heat-shielding element 400 is located between the structure 200 and the temperature sensor 300. The thermal conductivity of the heat-shielding element 400 is, for example, 0 to 0.15 W / m·K. The heat-shielding element 400 includes, for example, a porous material. Examples of porous materials include porous resin, porous ceramic, and porous glass. The porosity of this porous material is, but is not limited to, 60% to 80%. In the embodiment, the heat-shielding element 400 is a heat-shielding tape. The heat-shielding element 400 may be, for example, EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) foam rubber, silica aerogel, or glass cloth tape. The heat-shielding element 400 covers the periphery of the temperature sensor 300 except for the side where the battery 100 is located. Note that the heat-shielding element 400 is not limited to this example. For example, the heat-shielding element 400 may be a heat-shielding member other than a heat-shielding tape. The heat-shielding element 400 may also be air. For example, if the air around the temperature sensor 300 is not used as a cooling means, such as when the battery 100 is not cooled by forced air cooling such as air flow, the air around the temperature sensor 300 can serve as a heat shielding element 400.

[0020] The heat-shielding element 400 functions as a directing element that directs the temperature detection range of the temperature sensor 300 toward the battery 100. Specifically, the temperature of the battery 100 during operations such as charging and discharging is higher than the temperature of the structure 200. For this reason, if the heat-shielding element 400 were not provided during operation of the battery 100, the temperature around the temperature sensor 300 may be lower than the actual temperature of the battery 100 due to the heat flux from the battery 100 to the structure 200. In contrast, in the embodiment, at least a portion of the heat-shielding element 400 is located between the structure 200 and the temperature sensor 300. Therefore, the heat-shielding element 400 can suppress the transfer of heat from the battery 100 to the structure 200 around the temperature sensor 300. For this reason, in the embodiment, the difference between the actual temperature of the battery 100 and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 300 can be reduced compared to when the heat-shielding element 400 is not provided.

[0021] The reason why it is necessary to reduce the difference between the actual temperature of the battery 100 and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 300 is, for example, as follows. For example, the battery module 10 may be required to be rapidly charged or discharged while ensuring safety. In this case, consider an example in which the temperature sensor 300 detects the temperature of a relatively high-temperature portion of the battery 100. In this example, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 300 is lower than the actual temperature of the battery 100, charging of the battery 100 may continue even though the actual temperature of the battery 100 exceeds the allowable value. This may, for example, cause deterioration of the battery 100. Alternatively, consider an example in which the temperature sensor 300 detects the temperature of a relatively low-temperature portion of the battery 100. In this example, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 300 is higher than the actual temperature of the battery 100, charging of the battery 100 may continue even though the actual temperature of the battery 100 is below the allowable value. This may, for example, cause Li to precipitate on the surface of the electrodes of the battery 100. Therefore, the difference between the actual temperature of the battery 100 and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 300 needs to be as small as possible.

[0022] In an embodiment, the temperature sensor 300 and the heat shield element 400 may be located in an area where the absolute value of the heat flux is relatively large under a predetermined condition. For example, the temperature sensor 300 and the heat shield element 400 may be located in an area where the absolute value of the heat flux is 200 W / m 2 The heat flux can be located in the above-mentioned regions. An example of a region where the absolute value of the heat flux becomes relatively large under predetermined conditions is the region between the battery 100 and the structure 200 that operates as a member for adjusting the temperature of the battery 100. Specifically, the difference between the temperature of the battery 100 and the temperature of the structure 200 varies depending on conditions such as the operating conditions of the battery 100, the environment in which the battery 100 is placed, and the operating conditions of the structure 200. The above-mentioned predetermined condition means that the difference between the temperature of the battery 100 and the temperature of the structure 200 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. For example, when the battery 100 generates heat and the structure 200 operates as a cooling member, a heat flux is generated in a direction from the battery 100 to the structure 200. Under this condition, the difference between the temperature of the battery 100 and the temperature of the structure 200 may be equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Alternatively, when the battery 100 is placed at a relatively low temperature and the structure 200 operates as a heating member, a heat flux is generated in a direction from the structure 200 to the battery 100. Under this condition, the difference between the temperature of the battery 100 and the temperature of the structure 200 may be equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In the embodiment, even if the temperature sensor 300 and the heat shielding element 400 are located in an area where the absolute value of the heat flux is relatively large under certain conditions, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 300 can be made to approach the actual temperature of the battery 100.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a graph showing the time transition of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 300 in each of the battery module 10A1 according to Example 1, the battery module 10A2 according to Example 2, and the battery module 10K according to the comparative example, along with the time transition of the water-cooling temperature. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in FIG. 2 represents time (unit: seconds). The vertical axis of the graph shown in FIG. 2 represents temperature (unit: °C). FIG. 3 is a front view of a portion of the battery module 10A1 according to Example 1. FIG. 4 is a front view of a portion of the battery module 10A2 according to Example 2. FIG. 5 is a front view of a portion of the battery module 10K according to the comparative example.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the battery module 10A1 according to Example 1 includes a battery 100, a thermally conductive sheet 200A1, a temperature sensor 300, and a heat-shielding tape 400A1. The thermally conductive sheet 200A1 is provided on the side of the battery 100. The temperature sensor 300 is located between the battery 100 and the thermally conductive sheet 200A1. The heat-shielding tape 400A1 covers the periphery of the temperature sensor 300 except for the side where the battery 100 is located. In Example 1, the battery 100 is continuously discharged at 2.0 C. A water-cooling member (not shown) is provided on the surface of the thermally conductive sheet 200A1 opposite to the side where the battery 100 is located.

[0025] The battery module 10A2 according to Example 2 is similar to the battery module 10A1 according to Example 1, except for the following points: As shown in Fig. 4, the battery module 10A2 according to Example 2 does not include a thermally conductive sheet or a heat-shielding tape. Air is present around the temperature sensor 300 except on the side where the battery 100 is located.

[0026] The battery module 10K according to the comparative example is similar to the battery module 10A1 according to the first embodiment, except for the following points: As shown in Fig. 5, the battery module 10K according to the comparative example does not include a heat-shielding tape, and the temperature sensor 300 is in contact with the thermally conductive sheet 200A1.

[0027] The cooling water temperature shown in FIG. 2 indicates the temperature of the cooling water at the inlet where it flows into the cooling member (not shown).

[0028] 2, in Examples 1 and 2, the temperature detected by temperature sensor 300 increases over time from approximately 0 to 1750 seconds. In contrast, in the comparative example, the temperature detected by temperature sensor 300 does not increase as much from approximately 0 to 1750 seconds compared to Examples 1 and 2. From these results, it can be said that the difference between the actual temperature of the battery and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor can be reduced by using heat-shielding elements such as heat-shielding tape and air that exist between the battery and structures such as a thermally conductive sheet and a water-cooled member.

[0029] 6 is a front view of a battery module 10A according to a modified example. The battery module 10A according to the modified example is similar to the battery module 10 according to the embodiment, except that a heat conducting element 500 is provided.

[0030] The heat conducting element 500 according to the modified example is located between the outer surface of the temperature sensor 300 and the inner surface of the heat shield element 400. The heat conducting element 500 has a thermal conductivity of, for example, 0.20 W / m·K or more. The heat conducting element 500 contains a metal such as Al or Cu. Specifically, the heat conducting element 500 may be a heat spreader tape such as Al tape or Cu tape. The heat conducting element 500 is configured to absorb the heat generated from the battery 100. hand The heat shielded by the heat shield element 400 is transferred to the temperature sensor 300. Heat Conduction Element 500 This allows the temperature to be transmitted to the temperature sensor 300 more efficiently.

[0031] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above can also be adopted. Below, examples of reference forms are given. 1. Battery and a structure located at least partially around the periphery of the battery; a temperature sensor located between the battery and the structure; an orientation unit that directs the temperature detection range of the temperature sensor toward the battery; A battery module comprising: 2. The battery module described in 1., wherein the directing portion has a heat shield element at least a portion of which is positioned between the temperature sensor and the structure. 3. Batteries and a structure located at least partially around the periphery of the battery; a temperature sensor located between the battery and the structure; a heat shield element, at least a portion of which is located between the temperature sensor and the structure; A battery module comprising: 4. The heat shielding element has an absolute value of heat flux of 200 W / m under specified conditions. 2 The battery module according to 2. or 3., wherein the battery module is located in the above-mentioned area. 5. The battery module according to any one of 2. to 4., wherein the heat-shielding element includes a porous material. 6. The temperature sensor has an absolute value of heat flux of 200 W / m under specified conditions. 2 The battery module according to any one of 1. to 5., which is located in the above region. 7. The battery module according to any one of 1 to 6, wherein at least a portion of the structure functions as a member for adjusting the temperature of the battery. 8. The battery module according to any one of 1. to 7., wherein the temperature sensor is attached to the battery. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 10, 10A, 10A1, 10A2, 10K battery modules 100 batteries 110 Exterior materials 120 leads 200 structures 200A1 Thermal Conductive Sheet 300 Temperature Sensor 400 heat shielding elements 400A1 Heat Shielding Tape 500 heat transfer elements

Claims

1. a battery having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other and a side surface located between the first surface and the second surface, with a lead drawn out from at least one of the first surface and the second surface; a structure located on one side of the periphery of the side surface of the battery; a temperature sensor located on the one side of the battery between the side surface of the battery and the structure; a heat shield element positioned at least in part between the temperature sensor and the structure on the one side of the battery; Equipped with A battery module in which the battery and the structure are configured to at least one of cool the battery by making the temperature of the structure lower than the temperature of the battery without air-cooling the battery with the air surrounding the temperature sensor, and heat the battery by heat exchange between the battery and the structure caused by making the temperature of the structure higher than the temperature of the battery.

2. 2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the battery and the structure are configured such that a temperature of the side surface of the battery and a temperature of the structure are different from each other, thereby generating a heat flux in a region where the heat-shielding element is located between the side surface of the battery and the structure.

3. The battery module of claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat shielding element comprises a porous material.

4. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the battery and the structure are configured such that the temperature of the side surface of the battery and the temperature of the structure are different from each other, thereby generating a heat flux in an area where the temperature sensor is located between the side surface of the battery and the structure.

5. 5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the structure acts as a member for adjusting the temperature of the battery.

6. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the temperature sensor is attached to the battery.

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