Electricity storage apparatus and vehicle

Abstract

A storage device (battery pack) comprises a case (LWR case and UPR case), a storage unit (battery stack), and an electrical device (battery device) housed in the case. The case is provided with a protective plate to protect the electrical device. The storage device further comprises a cooling pipe for cooling the storage device. A protective plate is disposed between at least a portion of the cooling pipe (device cooling section) and the electrical device.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery storage device and a vehicle equipped with a battery storage device. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-128961 discloses a technology in which a stay is provided in a frame body of a battery case, and when a collision load is applied to the stay due to a frontal collision or a rearal collision, the stay is bent by the applied collision load. In this technology, a stay is employed having a contour portion that deforms outward in the vertical direction with respect to at least one of the front wall and rear wall of the frame body of the battery case so that impact energy caused by the collision is absorbed by the deformation of the stay.

[0003] In the case of a storage device (battery case), not only the storage unit (battery) but also electrical equipment such as a junction box (J / B) or a control device may be accommodated. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-128961 mentions the protection of the storage unit but does not mention the protection of electrical equipment. Furthermore, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-128961 does not mention a device for cooling the storage device. In a storage device equipped with a protective member such as the aforementioned stay, it becomes difficult to provide additional cooling piping.

[0004] The present disclosure is made to solve the above problem, and its purpose is to achieve the compatibility of protection and cooling of a storage device.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a capacitor device as described below is provided.

[0006] The capacitor device comprises a case, a capacitor housed in the case, and an electrical device. The case is provided with a protective plate to protect the electrical device. The capacitor device further comprises a cooling pipe for cooling the capacitor device. A protective plate is disposed between at least a portion of the cooling pipe and the electrical device.

[0007] As described above, by providing a protective plate, the electrical equipment inside the case can be protected. However, there is a concern that providing a protective plate may reduce the heat dissipation performance of the electrical equipment. To address this, in the above-described energy storage device, at least a portion of the cooling piping may exchange heat with the electrical equipment through the protective plate. By doing so, the protection and cooling of the energy storage device (particularly the electrical equipment inside the case) can be achieved simultaneously.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to achieve both protection and cooling of the energy storage device. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0009] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals indicate the same elements. FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the configuration of a vehicle equipped with a battery storage device related to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the configuration of a capacitor device related to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the attachment method of the protective plate of the capacitor device related to the present embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV in Figure 2. FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the operation and effects of a capacitor device related to the present embodiment. Figure 6 is a drawing showing a modified example of the cooling piping shown in Figure 2. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or substantial parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are not repeated. In each drawing, regarding the directions of the three mutually orthogonal axes (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis), the direction indicated by the arrow is indicated by attaching a "+", and the opposite direction is indicated by attaching a "-".

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle equipped with a battery storage device related to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, the up-down direction and the front-back direction, which are orthogonal to each other, are shown. "Front" corresponds to the direction of travel of the vehicle, and "back" is the opposite direction. "Down" corresponds to the vertical direction (direction of gravity), and "up" is the opposite direction.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, the vehicle (1000) is provided with a front section (310), a passenger compartment (320), and a rear section (330). The front section (310) is located in front of the passenger compartment (320). The rear section (330) is located behind the passenger compartment (320). Additionally, a battery pack (100) is provided under the floor of the vehicle (1000). The battery pack (100) is, for example, fixed to the lower surface of the floor panel of the passenger compartment (320). However, it is not limited to this, and the mounting method of the battery pack (100) is optional. For example, the case of the battery pack (100) may form part of the vehicle body (for example, the floor panel).

[0013] A driving device (20) for driving the vehicle (1000) is provided in the front part (310) of the vehicle (1000). The front part (310) is located in front of the center of the vehicle (1000) in the front-rear direction. The driving device (20) includes a Power Control Unit (PCU) (21), a Motor Generator (MG) (22), and an engine (23). The vehicle (1000) is configured to be able to drive using power output from a battery pack (100). The vehicle (1000) is, for example, a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV). However, the vehicle (1000) may be any other electric vehicle (xEV). Examples of any other electric vehicle include a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and a battery electric vehicle (BEV).

[0014] The MG (22) functions as a driving motor and rotates the driving wheel (24) of the vehicle (1000). The PCU (21) drives the MG (22) using power supplied from the battery pack (100). The PCU (21) includes, for example, an inverter. The MG (22) converts the power into torque. The torque is transmitted to the driving wheel (24). In addition, the MG (22) performs regenerative power generation, for example, when the vehicle (1000) is decelerated, and charges the battery pack (100).

[0015] The engine (23) functions as an internal combustion engine and rotates the drive wheel (24) of the vehicle (1000). The engine (23) generates power by burning fuel supplied from a fuel tank not shown. The power generated by the engine (23) is transmitted to the drive wheel (24). An exhaust pipe (23a) is connected to the engine (23) and discharges the exhaust of the engine (23) to the outside of the vehicle.

[0016] The vehicle (1000) is further equipped with a cooling device for cooling a battery pack (100). The cooling device is equipped with a refrigerant circuit (C1, C2) and a chiller (240). The refrigerant circuit (C1) includes a pump (210), a heater (220), and a reserve tank (R / T) (230). The pump (210) circulates refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit (C1). The heater (220) heats the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit (C1) in response to a request from a control device (not shown) (e.g., an onboard computer such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit)). The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit (C1) cools the battery pack (100) when the temperature of the battery pack (100) rises. However, when the temperature of the battery pack (100) is low due to the influence of weather or location (e.g., a cold region), the refrigerant heated by the heater (220) may raise the temperature of the battery pack (100). The refrigerant circuit (C2) includes a refrigeration cycle device (250). The refrigeration cycle device (250) includes various devices that perform temperature control by a refrigeration cycle (i.e., a cycle of evaporation, compression, condensation, and expansion). The cooling circuit of an air conditioning device (not shown) mounted on a vehicle (1000) may constitute the refrigeration cycle device (250). The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit (C2) is cooled by the refrigeration cycle device (250). The chiller (240) is connected to the refrigerant circuits (C1 and C2) and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit (C1) and the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit (C2).

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack (100). The battery pack (100) shown in FIG. 2 is mounted on a vehicle (1000) such that the -Z side is the "lower" (vertical direction) in FIG. 1 and the -X side is the "front" in FIG. 1. The battery pack (100) corresponds to an example of a "energy storage device" related to the present disclosure.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, the battery pack (100) comprises a battery stack (111, 112), a battery device (113), a reinforcing member (reinforce) (121–123), a cooling pipe (130), and a connector block (150). Additionally, in FIG. 2, the UPR (upper) case is omitted, and the configuration inside the case of the battery pack (100) is shown. The outline of the LWR (lower) case (101) shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the outline of the inner bottom surface (surface (F1) shown in FIG. 4) of the LWR case (101).

[0019] Each of the battery stacks (111, 112) is equipped with a plurality of storage cells (hereinafter simply referred to as "cells"), each of which functions as a secondary battery. Each battery stack is, for example, a storage module in which a plurality of electrically connected cells are modularized. In each of the battery stacks (111, 112), a plurality of cells are stacked and secured, for example, in the Y direction. Examples of cells include secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, or sodium-ion batteries. The type of secondary battery may be a liquid secondary battery or an all-solid-state secondary battery. The outer casing of the cell may be a laminated outer casing or a prismatic case made of metal. Each battery stack may contain only cells of the same type or may contain cells of different types. Each of the battery stacks (111, 112) corresponds to an example of a “capacitor” related to the present disclosure.

[0020] The battery device (113) is positioned on the -X side relative to the battery stacks (111, 112). The battery device (113) includes, for example, a junction box (J / B) electrically connected to each of the battery stacks (111, 112). The J / B includes a relay and / or fuse and is electrically connected to an external device other than the battery pack (100) (for example, the PCU (21) shown in FIG. 1). When the J / B is connected, power output from the battery stacks (111 and 112) is output to the driving device (20) (Fig. 1) via the battery device (113). When the J / B is disconnected, the power supply from the battery stacks (111, 112) to the driving device (20) (Fig. 1) is cut off by the battery device (113). However, the battery device (113) is optional as long as it is an electrical device housed within the case of the battery pack (100). For example, the battery device (113) may include at least one of a Battery Management System (BMS) and a control device (e.g., a battery ECU) in place of or in addition to the J / B. The battery device (113) corresponds to an example of an “electric device” related to the present disclosure.

[0021] Each of the reinforcing members (121 to 123) is formed to be elongated in the Y direction and is fixed (e.g., welded or fastened) to the LWR case (101). Each of the reinforcing members (121 to 123) may be a processed plate-shaped member (e.g., a metal plate-shaped member bent into a U-shape or a step shape). The reinforcing member (121) is located between the battery stack (111) and the battery device (113). The battery stack (111) is positioned between the reinforcing members (121 and 122). The battery stack (112) is positioned between the reinforcing members (122 and 123). The reinforcing members (121 to 123) provide collision protection and vibration suppression for the battery stack (111 and 112).

[0022] A cooling pipe (130) is positioned on the -Z side of each of the battery stacks (111, 112) and the battery device (113) (see FIG. 4 described later). Then, a refrigerant flowing through the cooling pipe (130) cools the battery stacks (111, 112) and the battery device (113). The cooling pipe (130) is broadly divided into an upstream section that cools the battery stacks (111 and 112) and a downstream section that cools the battery device (113). Each of the upstream and downstream sections may be formed of a metal (e.g., aluminum). The downstream section includes a device cooling section (134) and an output port (P2) that receives the refrigerant output from the device cooling section (134). The upstream section is located upstream of the downstream section in the cooling pipe (130) (refrigerant flow path) and includes an input port (P1) into which the refrigerant is input. By connecting the refrigerant circuit (C1) shown in FIG. 1 to the input port (P1) and output port (P2), refrigerant can be flowed through the cooling pipe (130). By circulating the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (C1) by the pump (210), the battery stack (111, 112) and the battery device (113) can be continuously cooled. The refrigerant may be either a liquid (e.g., water or antifreeze) or a gas (e.g., carbon dioxide).

[0023] The upstream section further includes a horizontal channel (131) long in the X direction, a vertical channel (132a, 132b) long in the Y direction, and a horizontal channel (133) long in the X direction. The horizontal channel (133) is located on the +Y side relative to the horizontal channel (131). The horizontal channel (131) and the horizontal channel (133) are connected via the vertical channel (132a, 132b). The vertical channel (132b) is located on the +X side relative to the vertical channel (132a). The input port (P1) is located at the inlet (the -X side end) of the horizontal channel (131). The refrigerant input to the input port (P1) flows along the transverse path (131) toward the +X side, flows along each of the longitudinal paths (132a, 132b) toward the +Y side, and flows along the transverse path (133) toward the -X side. The refrigerant flowing through the longitudinal path (132a) flows directly below the battery stack (111) (to the -Z side) and performs heat exchange with the battery stack (111). Also, the refrigerant flowing through the longitudinal path (132b) flows directly below the battery stack (112) (to the -Z side) and performs heat exchange with the battery stack (112). In the longitudinal paths (132a, 132b), the refrigerant flows to cool the battery stacks (111, 112) respectively. Each of the species Euros (132a, 132b) corresponds to an example of the “first part” related to the present disclosure.

[0024] The -X end (upstream end) of the transverse channel (133) is connected to the downstream section near the branch end (134c) of the equipment cooling section (134). In this embodiment, the upstream and downstream sections of the cooling pipe (130) are formed integrally and connected seamlessly. However, this is not limited to this, and the upstream and downstream sections may be formed as separate bodies and then joined (see FIG. 6 described later).

[0025] Although not shown in FIG. 2, the battery pack (100) further comprises a protective plate that protects the battery device (113). FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the attachment of the protective plate.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 3 together with FIG. 2, a protective plate (140) is provided below (-Z side) the battery device (113). Additionally, a device cooling section (134) of a cooling pipe (130) is provided below (-Z side) the protective plate (140). The protective plate (140) is positioned between the cooling pipe (130) (particularly the device cooling section (134)) and the battery device (113). The protective plate (140) protects the battery device (113) from road surface input, etc. The protective plate (140) acts to suppress vibrations and / or impacts from forward collisions while driving the vehicle (1000). In this embodiment, a bellows cover made of metal (e.g., aluminum) is adopted as the protective plate (140).

[0027] The device cooling section (134) includes four flow paths (B1 to B4), a base flow path (134a) long in the Y direction, a merging flow path (134b) long in the Y direction, a branching section (134c), and a merging section (134d). The flow path from the upstream section (transverse flow path (133)) branches into the base flow path (134a) and the flow path (B1) at the branching section (134c). The merging flow path (134b) is located on the -X side of the base flow path (134a). The base flow path (134a) and the merging flow path (134b) are connected via the flow paths (B1 to B4). The flow path (B1) is located at the +Y side end of the battery pack (100) and is formed along the contour of the battery pack (100). The flow path (B1) connects the +Y side end (branch end (134c)) of the base flow path (134a) and the +Y side end of the merging flow path (134b). Each of the flow paths (B2 to B4) is formed long in the X direction. The flow path (B4) connects the -Y side end of the base flow path (134a) and the -Y side end (merging end (134d)) of the merging flow path (134b). The merging flow path (134b) and the flow path (B4) merge at the merging end (134d). The output port (P2) is located near the merging end (134d) (on the -X side of the merging end (134d).

[0028] In the device cooling section (134), the initial flow path (134a) branches into flow paths (B1 to B4), and the flow paths (B1 to B4) merge at the merging flow path (134b). The refrigerant flowing through each of the flow paths (B1 to B4) flows directly below (-Z side) the battery device (113) and performs heat exchange with the battery device (113). In each of the flow paths (B1 to B4), the refrigerant flows to cool the battery device (113) (e.g., the copper plate of J / B). The flow paths (B1 to B4) correspond to an example of a “multiple flow paths” related to the present disclosure. Each of the flow paths (B1 to B4) corresponds to an example of a “second part” related to the present disclosure. The merging flow path (134b) corresponds to an example of a “merging part” related to the present disclosure.

[0029] The protective plate (140) is formed in a bellows shape and has a base portion (141a to 141d) and a convex portion (142a to 142c). By forming a plurality of convex portions on the protective plate (140), it becomes easier to increase the rigidity of the protective plate (140). The base portions (141a to 141d) are formed to have the same height (position in the Z direction). Each of the convex portions (142a to 142c) protrudes toward the -Z side relative to the base portions (141a to 141d). The convex portion (142a) is, for example, a convex strip having a shape that follows the gap between the flow paths (B1, B2) of the cooling pipe (130), extending from one end to the other end in the X direction of the protective plate (140). The convex portion (142b) is, for example, a convex shape having a shape corresponding to the gap between the flow paths (B2, B3) of the cooling pipe (130) extending from one end in the X direction of the protective plate (140) to the other end. The convex portion (142c) is, for example, a convex shape having a shape corresponding to the gap between the flow paths (B3, B4) of the cooling pipe (130) extending from one end in the X direction of the protective plate (140) to the other end. The protective plate (140) is mounted on the cooling pipe (130) such that the convex portion (142a) fits between the flow paths (B1, B2), the convex portion (142b) fits between the flow paths (B2, B3), and the convex portion (142c) fits between the flow paths (B3, B4). And, the cooling pipe (130) is mounted in the LWR case (101) of the battery pack (100) via a protective plate (140).

[0030] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 4, a battery pack (100) comprises a case (10). The case (10) includes an LWR case (101) and a UPR case (102). A battery stack (111, 112) and a battery device (113) are housed in the case (10). The LWR case (101) has surfaces (F1, F2). Surface (F1) corresponds to the inner surface (+Z side surface) of the bottom of the LWR case (101). Surface (F2) corresponds to the outer surface (-Z side surface) of the bottom of the LWR case (101). Each of the reinforcing members (121 to 123) is fixed to surface (F1) and reinforces the bottom of the LWR case (101). Additionally, the battery device (113), battery stack (111), and battery stack (112) are each connected to the surface (F1) of the LWR case (101) via a thermal conductive material (171, 172, 173). In this embodiment, each of the thermal conductive materials (171 to 173) functions as an adhesive. Due to the adhesive properties of the thermal conductive materials (171 to 173), the battery stack (111, 112) and the battery device (113) are connected (adhered) to the surface (F1) of the LWR case (101).

[0031] A connector block (150) is provided in an opening formed on the -X side of the LWR case (101). The connector block (150) is, for example, an aluminum block formed by die casting. A part of the connector block (150) is located on the outside of the case (10). The connector block (150) may be fastened to the LWR case (101) or fixed to the LWR case (101) by other methods (welding, adhesive, etc.). A wire connecting the battery device (113) inside the case (10) and an external device (for example, PCU (21)) passes through the connector block (150). Due to this structure, power exchange between the parts inside the case (10) (for example, battery stacks (111, 112)) and the external device becomes possible.

[0032] Among the cooling pipes (130) shown in FIG. 2, the longitudinal channels (132a, 132b) are each connected to the surface (F2) of the LWR case (101) via a heat conductive material (162, 163). In this embodiment, each of the heat conductive material (162, 163) functions as an adhesive. Due to the adhesive properties of the heat conductive material (162, 163), the longitudinal channels (132a, 132b) are connected (adhered) to the surface (F2) of the LWR case (101).

[0033] The protective plate (140) is connected to the -Z side of the LWR case (101). Specifically, each of the base portions (141a to 141d) of the protective plate (140) is welded to the surface (F2) of the LWR case (101). The base flow path (134a) of the device cooling portion (134) is located below (-Z side) the reinforcing member (121). The flange portion of the reinforcing member (121) is located above (+Z side) the protective plate (140). In the portion where the LWR case (101), the protective plate (140), and the reinforcing member (121) overlap three times, they may be welded together. Such three-piece welding increases the joint strength and rigidity. Each of the convex portions (142a to 142c) of the protective plate (140) protrudes in the -Z direction from the surface (F2) (the connection surface between the case (10) and the protective plate (140)) of the LWR case (101).

[0034] The cooling section (134) of the cooling pipe (130) (particularly, the passages (B1 to B4)) is connected to the -Z side of the protective plate (140) via a heat-conducting material (161). Specifically, the passages (B1, B2, B3, B4) are connected to the base sections (141a, 141b, 141c, 141d) (hat sections) respectively via a heat-conducting material (161). In this embodiment, the heat-conducting material (161) functions as an adhesive. Due to the adhesive properties of the heat-conducting material (161), the passages (B1 to B4) are connected (adhered) to the -Z side surface of the base sections (141a to 141d). And, as shown in the YZ cross-sectional view (viewed from the -X side) of the device cooling section (134) in FIG. 4, the flow path (B2) is positioned between the convex section (142a) and the convex section (142b). Also, the flow path (B3) is positioned between the convex section (142b) and the convex section (142c) (see FIG. 3). Each of the convex sections (142a to 142c) protrudes toward the -Z side from the surface (F2) of the device cooling section (134) (including the flow paths (B1 to B4)). Specifically, the distance (H1) from the surface (F2) to the cross-section (tip surface) of each of the convex sections (142a to 142c) toward the -Z side is greater than the distance (H2) from the surface (F2) to the cross-section (bottom surface) of each of the flow paths (B1 to B4) toward the -Z side.

[0035] As described above, since the protective plate (140) has a plurality of convex portions, when an impact is input to the protective plate (140) from the -Z side, the impact energy is easily absorbed by the deformation of the plurality of convex portions. In addition, due to the presence of the plurality of convex portions of the protective plate (140), a gap (air layer) is formed between the protective plate (140) and the case (10) (LWR case (101)). Because of this, even if the protective plate (140) is exposed to heat, it becomes difficult for heat to be transferred into the case (10). Also, since each of the convex portions (142a to 142c) protrudes beyond the cooling pipe (130), the cooling pipe (130) is protected by the convex portions (142a to 142c).

[0036] In this embodiment, the protective plate (140) is formed of metal and has high thermal conductivity. Because of this, the thermal conductivity between the cooling pipe (130) and the battery device (113) is increased. Also, by placing the cooling pipe (130) in the space (concave portion) between the convex portions of the protective plate (140), it becomes easy to place the protective plate (140) and the cooling pipe (130) near the battery device (113). As a result, heat exchange between the cooling pipe (130) and the battery device (113) becomes easier. Additionally, heat exchange is also promoted by the presence of a heat-conducting material.

[0037] In addition, each of the thermal conductive materials (161–163, 171–173) has a thermal conductivity higher than that of air (air gap). In this embodiment, a silicone-based adhesive is used for each of the thermal conductive materials (161–163, 171–173). However, the type of each thermal conductive material is optional and is not limited to adhesive. The thermal conductive materials may be connected by a method other than adhesive (e.g., welding). Also, the thermal conductive materials are not an essential component and may be omitted.

[0038] In the vehicle (1000) (Fig. 1), each of the MG (22) (driving motor), engine (23) (internal combustion engine), and exhaust pipe (23a) arranged in the front section (310) serves as a heat source. In the cooling pipe (130) installed in the vehicle (1000), the confluence passage (134b) of the equipment cooling section (134) is located between the passage (B1 to B4) of the equipment cooling section (134) and the front section (310) of the vehicle (1000) (including the heat source mentioned above). Specifically, the confluence passage (134b) is located below (-Z side) the connector block (150). In the vehicle (1000), the confluence passage (134b) (confluence section) shields the hot air from the heat source. By doing so, it becomes possible to suppress the increase in temperature of the refrigerant (and further, the increase in temperature of the battery device (113)) caused by the hot air.

[0039] In addition, in electric vehicles, the entire energy storage system (e.g., battery stacks (111, 112)) tends to require thermal management with high precision more than the electrical equipment (e.g., battery equipment (113)). In this regard, regarding the cooling pipe (130), as shown in FIG. 2, the first section (e.g., longitudinal flow path (132a, 132b)) through which the refrigerant flows to cool the entire energy storage system is located upstream of the second section (e.g., flow path (B1-B4)) through which the refrigerant flows to cool the electrical equipment. With this configuration, the entire energy storage system is cooled first, and the electrical equipment is cooled later. Therefore, even if the temperature of the refrigerant rises due to the cooling of the electrical equipment, it is thought that the effect on the cooling of the entire energy storage system is small (or does not have any effect). With the above configuration, it becomes easier to properly cool the entire energy storage system and the electrical equipment.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the operation and effect of a battery storage device (battery pack (100)) related to this embodiment. The battery pack (100) described above is equipped with a protective plate (140). However, a battery storage device that is not equipped with a protective plate for the battery device can also be used in a vehicle. FIG. 5 shows an example of a battery storage device that is not equipped with a protective plate as a reference example.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 5, the battery pack (100X) related to the reference example does not have a protective plate. Also, the battery pack (100X) has a cooling pipe (130X) instead of a cooling pipe (130) (Fig. 2). In the cooling pipe (130X), the device cooling section (134) (Fig. 2) is changed to a flow path (135). The flow path (135) connects the transverse flow path (133) and the output port (P2). However, the flow path (135) is formed to avoid the battery device (113). In the battery pack (100X), the excessive temperature rise of the battery device (113) is suppressed by the heat dissipation of the battery device (113).

[0042] However, when the battery pack (100X) is mounted on a vehicle, the battery device (113) (electrical device inside the case) is susceptible to road surface input. Therefore, it is possible to consider adding a protective plate for the battery device (113) to the battery pack (100X). In the battery pack (100X), since the flow path (135) is formed to avoid the battery device (113), it is easy to add a protective plate for the battery device (113). However, there is a concern that providing a protective plate may reduce the heat dissipation of the battery device (113). When the temperature of the battery device (113) rises and approaches the allowable temperature, the input / output current of the battery stack (111, 112) (energy storage) may be limited by the ECU or BMS. And, due to this limitation, there is a possibility that the vehicle's electric power consumption or fuel efficiency may decrease, or the charging time of the battery stack (111, 112) may become longer.

[0043] In this regard, in the battery pack (100) described above, as shown in FIG. 4, a protective plate (140) is disposed between the cooling pipe (130) (device cooling section (134)) and the battery device (113). In this battery pack (100), the battery device (113) can be protected by the protective plate (140). Also, the device cooling section (134) can perform heat exchange with the battery device (113) through the protective plate (140). By doing so, the protection and cooling of the battery pack (100) (especially the electrical device inside the case (10)) are achieved.

[0044] The cooling pipe (130) may be manufactured by joining upstream and downstream sections that are formed separately. FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a modified example of the cooling pipe shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 6, in the cooling pipe (130A) related to the modified example, at the connection section (S), the upstream section (including the longitudinal flow path (132a, 132b)) and the downstream section (including the equipment cooling section (134)) are connected (e.g., welded). With this cooling pipe (130A), it becomes easy to change the upstream or downstream section.

[0045] Multiple types of cooling pipes may be manufactured using a common upstream section. For example, depending on the vehicle type, the manufacturing device may select either the downstream section shown in FIG. 2 (including the equipment cooling section (134)) or the downstream section shown in FIG. 5 (including the flow path (135)). Additionally, the manufacturing device may connect the selected downstream section to the upstream section.

[0046] As shown in the lower section (YZ cross-sectional view) of FIG. 6, the thickness of the flow path may be changed in the upstream and downstream sections. In the modified example shown in FIG. 6, the thickness of the downstream section (dimension D1) is smaller than the thickness of the upstream section (dimension D2). The difference between dimension D1 and dimension D2 may be equal to the thickness of the protective plate (140). By doing so, the thickness of the heat conductive material (161-163) can be adjusted. The material of the upstream section and the material of the downstream section may be the same or different.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the battery device (113), the device cooling unit (134), and the protection plate (140) are positioned on the -X side (front side) rather than the center of the X direction of the battery pack (100) (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). However, this is not limited to this, and the battery device (113), the device cooling unit (134), and the protection plate (140) may be positioned on the +X side (rear side) rather than the center of the X direction of the battery pack (100).

[0048] The vehicle is not limited to passenger cars and may be a bus, truck, work vehicle (tractor, forklift, etc.), or automated guided vehicle (AGV).

[0049] The various features of the above-described battery device (each feature described in the embodiments and variations) may be implemented in any combination. The battery device may be applied to devices other than vehicles.

[0050] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered as illustrative and not limiting in all respects. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

Claim 1 A capacitor device comprising a case, a capacitor and an electric device housed in the case, wherein the case is provided with a protective plate for protecting the electric device, and the capacitor device further comprises a cooling pipe for cooling the capacitor device, and wherein the protective plate is positioned between at least a portion of the cooling pipe and the electric device. Claim 2 A storage device according to claim 1, wherein the protective plate is connected to the case, the protective plate has a plurality of convex portions protruding from the connection surface between the case and the protective plate, and the cooling pipe has a portion disposed between two convex portions included in the plurality of convex portions. Claim 3 In claim 2, the protective plate is a metal plate, the cooling pipe is connected to the protective plate via a heat conductive material, and each of the two convex portions protrudes beyond the cooling pipe, forming a storage device. Claim 4 In claim 1, the cooling pipe comprises a first portion through which a refrigerant flows to cool the entire shaft and a second portion through which a refrigerant flows to cool the electrical device, wherein the first portion is located upstream of the second portion, a storage device. Claim 5 A vehicle having a battery storage device and a heat source as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the battery storage device is disposed below the floor of the vehicle, the heat source comprises at least one of a driving motor, an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust pipe, and the cooling pipe comprises a plurality of flow paths through which a refrigerant flows to cool the electrical device, and a junction portion where the plurality of flow paths merge, and the junction portion is located between the plurality of flow paths and the heat source.

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