Vehicle, electric power storage apparatus, and temperature adjustment device

Abstract

This vehicle comprises a vehicle body and an electric power storage apparatus that is mounted to the vehicle body. The electric power storage device includes an electric power storage module and a temperature adjustment device (12) that is provided to the electric power storage module. The temperature adjustment device (12) includes: a body portion (40); a first end side (50) positioned at one end of the body portion (40) in a first direction (L); a second end side positioned at the other end of the body portion (40) in the first direction (L); and a first inflow portion (41), a second inflow portion (42), and an outflow portion (43) that are provided on the first-end-side (50) side. The body portion (40) has formed therein a first flow path tube (71) that is connected to the first inflow portion (41). The first flow path tube (71) is formed so as to extend from the first inflow portion (41) along the outer peripheral edge portion of the body portion (40) and so as to extend to reach the second end side.

Description

Vehicle, power storage device and temperature control device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle, a power storage device, and a temperature control device.

[0002] Various proposals have been made for vehicles equipped with power storage devices. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-181224 discloses a vehicle equipped with a power storage device, which includes a plurality of battery cells and piping through which a medium flows.

[0003] The plurality of battery cells are arranged in the direction of the vehicle, and each battery cell is formed to extend in the vehicle width direction.

[0004] The piping includes multiple front and rear sections extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and connecting sections connecting the ends of the front and rear sections. The multiple front and rear sections are arranged in the width direction of the vehicle and are connected in series by the connecting sections. Multiple front and rear sections of the piping are arranged on the bottom surface of the battery cell.

[0005] JP 2011-181224 A

[0006] In a power storage device including a plurality of power storage cells, the power storage cells arranged on the outer periphery of the power storage device are susceptible to the influence of the outside air temperature.

[0007] Therefore, for example, when the temperature of the power storage cells is increased, the heat of the power storage cells located near the periphery of the power storage device is likely to be dissipated to the outside. Also, when the power storage cells are cooled, the power storage cells located near the periphery of the power storage device are likely to be warmed by the high-temperature outside air.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle, a power storage device, and a temperature control device that can effectively control the temperature of a power storage module when at least one of heating and cooling the power storage module is performed in a power storage device equipped with a power storage module.

[0009] The vehicle comprises a vehicle body and a power storage device mounted on the vehicle body, the power storage device including a power storage module and a temperature adjustment device provided in the power storage module, the temperature adjustment device having a main body portion, a first end edge located at one end of the main body portion in a first direction, a second end edge located at the other end of the main body portion in the first direction, and a first inlet portion, a second inlet portion and an outlet portion provided on the first end edge side, the main body portion having a first flow path pipe formed therein and connected to the first inlet portion, the first flow path pipe formed to extend from the first inlet portion along the outer peripheral edge of the main body portion and to extend so as to reach the second end edge.

[0010] If the direction intersecting the first direction is defined as the second direction, the first inlet section and the second inlet section are arranged at a distance in the second direction, and in the second direction, the outlet section is arranged between the first inlet section and the second inlet section.

[0011] The main body portion includes a second flow tube connected to the second inlet portion, the first end edge includes a first end and a second end, and the second end edge includes a third end and a fourth end, the main body portion includes a first side edge and a second side edge spaced apart in a second direction, the first side edge and the second side edge extending in the first direction, the first side edge connecting the first end of the first end edge to the third end of the second end edge, and the second side edge connecting the second end of the first end edge to the fourth end of the second end edge, the first flow tube being formed to extend along the first end edge toward the first side edge, extend along the first side edge toward the second end edge, and extend along the second end edge, and the second flow tube being formed to extend along the first end edge toward the second side edge, extend along the second side edge toward the second end edge, and extend along the second end edge.

[0012] The first flow pipe is formed to extend from the third end portion of the second end side toward the fourth end portion, the second flow pipe is formed to extend from the fourth end portion of the second end side toward the third end portion, and the first flow pipe and the second flow pipe are formed to extend from the center of the second end side and its periphery toward the first end side. The first flow pipe and the second flow pipe are connected to the outlet portion.

[0013] The energy storage module includes energy storage cells extending in a first direction, and the first flow pipe includes at least one cooling pipe, which is disposed on a lower surface of the energy storage cells and extends in the first direction.

[0014] The energy storage device includes an energy storage module and a temperature adjustment device provided in the energy storage module. The temperature adjustment device has a main body, a first end edge located at one end of the main body in a first direction, a second end edge located at the other end of the main body in the first direction, and a first inlet portion, a second inlet portion and an outlet portion provided on the first end edge side. The main body has a first flow path pipe formed therein and connected to the first inlet portion. The first flow path pipe is formed to extend from the first inlet portion along the outer peripheral edge of the main body and to extend so as to reach the second end edge.

[0015] A temperature adjustment device provided in an energy storage module has a main body, a first end edge located at one end of the main body in a first direction, a second end edge located at the other end of the main body in the first direction, and a first inlet section, a second inlet section, and an outlet section provided on the first end edge side, wherein a first flow path pipe connected to the first inlet section is formed in the main body, and the first flow path pipe is formed to extend from the first inlet section along the outer peripheral edge of the main body and to reach the second end edge.

[0016] According to the vehicle, power storage device, and temperature adjustment device according to the present disclosure, the temperature of the power storage module can be adjusted satisfactorily when at least one of heating and cooling of the power storage module is performed.

[0017] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a power storage device 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cell case 31. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a temperature adjustment device 12. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the temperature adjustment device 12. FIG. 6 is a plan view in which the temperature adjustment device 12 is divided along dashed lines for convenience. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a part of the temperature adjustment device 12 and a plurality of power storage cells 30.

[0018] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings using Figures 1 to 7. Note that in the drawings referred to below, the same or equivalent components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0019] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 5, a power storage device 2, a control device 3, a heater 4, and a radiator 6. The vehicle body 5 includes a vehicle bottom. The power storage device 2 is provided at the vehicle bottom.

[0020] The control device 3 controls the power storage device 2. The control device 3 includes a CPU that performs various calculation processes, a memory that stores various information, and the like.

[0021] The heater 4 and the radiator 6 are connected to the power storage device 2. The connection between the power storage device 2 and the radiator 6 and the connection between the power storage device 2 and the heater 4 can be switched as needed.

[0022] When cooling the heat transfer liquid C flowing through the electricity storage device 2, the control device 3, for example, connects the radiator 6 to the electricity storage device 2. When raising the temperature of the heat transfer liquid C, the control device 3, for example, disconnects the radiator 6 from the electricity storage device 2 and connects the electricity storage device 2 to the heater 4.

[0023] 2 is an exploded perspective view that schematically shows the power storage device 2. The power storage device 2 includes a housing case 10, a power storage module 11, a temperature adjustment device 12, and a temperature sensor 18.

[0024] The storage case 10 includes a lower case 14 and an upper case 15. The lower case 14 includes a bottom plate 16 and a peripheral wall 17 formed to extend upward from the outer periphery of the bottom plate 16. The peripheral wall 17 includes end walls 20 and 21 and side walls 22 and 23. The lower case 14 is formed to open upward.

[0025] The end walls 20 and 21 are spaced apart in a first direction L, and are formed to extend in a second direction W. The first direction L and the second direction W are perpendicular to each other and extend horizontally. In this embodiment, the first direction L is the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, and the second direction W is the width direction of the vehicle.

[0026] The side walls 22 and 23 are spaced apart in the second direction W, and the side walls 23 and 23 are formed to extend in the first direction L. The upper case 15 is provided to close the opening of the lower case 14.

[0027] The power storage module 11 is provided on the upper surface of the temperature adjustment device 12. The power storage module 11 includes a plurality of power storage cells 30. The plurality of power storage cells 30 are arranged in a second direction W. The power storage cells 30 are arranged such that the longitudinal direction of each power storage cell 30 is in the first direction L. The power storage cells 30 are electrically connected in series.

[0028] The temperature sensor 18 is provided in the power storage module 11 , measures the temperature of the power storage module 11 , and transmits the measured temperature to the control device 3 .

[0029] 3 is a perspective view showing the cell case 31. The energy storage cell 30 includes the cell case 31 and an electrode assembly housed in the cell case 31. The energy storage cell 30 is formed to be elongated in a first direction L, and the length of the energy storage cell 30 in the first direction L is longer than the length of the energy storage cell 30 in the second direction W1 and the vertical direction D. Note that the length of the energy storage cell 30 in the first direction L is, for example, 5 to 10 times the length of the energy storage cell 30 in the vertical direction D.

[0030] The cell casing 31 includes a top plate 33, a bottom plate 34, long side walls 35, 36, and end walls 37, 38. The long side walls 35, 36 are spaced apart in the second direction W, and the long side walls 35, 36 are arranged to extend in the first direction L. The end walls 37, 38 are spaced apart in the first direction L. An electrode terminal 39A is provided on the end wall 37, and an electrode terminal 39B is provided on the end wall 38.

[0031] 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the temperature adjustment device 12. The temperature adjustment device 12 includes a main body 40, a first inlet 41, a second inlet 42, and an outlet 43.

[0032] The first inlet portion 41 , the second inlet portion 42 , and the outlet portion 43 are connected to the main body portion 40 .

[0033] The main body 40 includes a lower plate 45 and an upper plate 46. The lower plate 45 has a groove 47 formed to bulge downward. The upper plate 46 is formed in a flat plate shape. The upper plate 46 is provided on the upper surface of the lower plate 45. By disposing the upper plate 46 on the upper surface of the lower plate 45, a plurality of flow path pipes (described later) are formed by the lower plate 45 and the upper plate 46.

[0034] The upper surface of the upper plate 46 is formed in a flat surface, and the power storage module 11 is disposed on the upper surface of the upper plate 46 .

[0035] Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the temperature adjustment device 12. Fig. 6 is a plan view in which the temperature adjustment device 12 is divided along dashed lines for convenience's sake. Note that in Figs. 5 and 6, the flow paths formed in the temperature adjustment device 12 are hatched to make them visible.

[0036] The main body 40 is formed in a plate shape and includes a front end edge 50, a rear end edge 51, long side edges 52, long side edges 53, a protrusion 54, and a protrusion 55.

[0037] The front edge 50 is located on the front side in the first direction L, and the rear edge 51 is located on the rear side in the first direction L. The front edge 50 and the rear edge 51 are formed to extend in the second direction W.

[0038] The front edge 50 includes a first end 56 and a second end 57 spaced apart in the second direction W. The rear edge 51 includes a third end 58 and a fourth end 59 spaced apart in the second direction W. The first end 56 and the third end 58 are provided on the left side of the vehicle 1, and the second end 57 and the fourth end 59 are provided on the right side of the vehicle 1.

[0039] The long side 52 is formed to connect the first end 56 and the third end 58. The long side 53 is formed to connect the second end 57 and the fourth end 59.

[0040] The protrusions 54 and 55 are provided on the front edge 50 at an interval in the second direction W, and the protrusions 54 and 55 are provided so as to protrude forward from the front edge 50 .

[0041] The main body 40 is formed with a first flow path pipe 60 and a second flow path pipe 61. The first flow path pipe 60 is connected to the first inlet portion 41. The second flow path pipe 61 is connected to the second inlet portion 42. The first flow path pipe 60 and the second flow path pipe 61 are connected to the outlet portion 43.

[0042] The first flow path pipe 60 and the second flow path pipe 61 are formed to extend along the outer peripheral edge of the main body portion 40 .

[0043] The first flow path pipe 60 includes a connection portion 70 , a first cooling pipe unit 71 , a second cooling pipe unit 72 , a third cooling pipe unit 73 , and a connection pipe 74 .

[0044] The connection part 70 is formed at the tip of the protrusion 54, and is connected to the first inlet part 41. The first cooling pipe unit 71, the second cooling pipe unit 72, and the third cooling pipe unit 73 are formed to branch off from the connection part 70.

[0045] The first cooling pipe unit 71 is arranged closer to the outer periphery of the main body 40 than the second cooling pipe unit 72 and the third cooling pipe unit 73 .

[0046] 6, the first cooling pipe unit 71 is formed to extend along the front end side 50 and the long side 52. The first cooling pipe unit 71 of the first flow path pipe 60 includes a plurality of refrigerant pipes 80-86.

[0047] The refrigerant pipe 80 extends from the connection portion 70 in the first direction L. The refrigerant pipe 80 is bent at the connection portion between the protrusion 54 and the front end edge 50, and is formed to extend along the front end edge 50 toward the first end 56.

[0048] A refrigerant pipe 81 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 80 near the connection between the protruding portion 54 and the front end edge 50. The refrigerant pipe 81 is formed to extend in the second direction W and is connected to the refrigerant pipe 80 near the long side edge 52.

[0049] The refrigerant pipe 80 is bent near the first end 56 , and the refrigerant pipe 80 is formed to extend along the long side 52 .

[0050] The refrigerant pipe 80 is bent near the third end 58. The refrigerant pipe 80 is formed to extend from the vicinity of the third end 58 along the second direction W, and the refrigerant pipe 80 is formed to extend along the rear end edge 51.

[0051] In the vicinity of the third end portion 58, the refrigerant pipe 84 branches off from the refrigerant pipe 80 and extends in the second direction W. The refrigerant pipe 84 is disposed at a position farther away from the refrigerant pipe 80 toward the front end side 50.

[0052] At the center of rear edge 51 in second direction W, refrigerant pipe 80 branches into refrigerant pipe 82 and refrigerant pipe 83. Refrigerant pipe 82 and refrigerant pipe 83 are arranged adjacent to each other in second direction W, and refrigerant pipe 83 is located closer to long edge 52 than refrigerant pipe 82.

[0053] The refrigerant pipe 82 extends in the first direction L, and extends toward the front end edge 50. The refrigerant pipe 82 is connected to the connection portion 74. The connection pipe 74 extends along the front end edge 50 and is then connected to the outflow portion 43.

[0054] The refrigerant pipe 83 is formed to extend in the first direction L, and is connected to the refrigerant pipe 82. A connection portion P1 between the refrigerant pipe 82 and the refrigerant pipe 83 is located closer to the front end edge 50 than the center of the main body portion 40 in the first direction L.

[0055] Refrigerant pipe 84, which branches off from refrigerant pipe 80, branches off into refrigerant pipe 85 and refrigerant pipe 86 near refrigerant pipe 83. Refrigerant pipe 85 and refrigerant pipe 86 extend in first direction L toward front end edge 50. Refrigerant pipe 85 is positioned closer to refrigerant pipe 83 than refrigerant pipe 86. Refrigerant pipe 85 and refrigerant pipe 86 are connected to connection portion P1.

[0056] The second cooling pipe unit 72 includes a plurality of refrigerant pipes 87-92 and a connecting pipe 75. The refrigerant pipe 87 extends in a first direction L from the connecting portion 70. The refrigerant pipe 87 is formed so as to bend at the connecting portion between the protruding portion 54 and the front end edge 50. The refrigerant pipe 87 extends in a second direction W toward the long side edge 52.

[0057] Refrigerant pipe 87 is bent on the long side 52 side near refrigerant pipe 80 so as to extend toward rear end side 51. Refrigerant pipe 88 is branched from refrigerant pipe 87 near refrigerant pipe 84 and is formed to extend in second direction W.

[0058] Near the third end 58, the refrigerant pipe 87 is formed to extend in the second direction W along the refrigerant pipe 84. Near the refrigerant pipe 86, the refrigerant pipe 87 branches into a refrigerant pipe 89 and a refrigerant pipe 90.

[0059] The refrigerant pipe 89 and the refrigerant pipe 90 are formed to extend in the first direction L toward the front end edge 50. The refrigerant pipe 89 is formed to extend along the refrigerant pipe 86, and the refrigerant pipe 90 is arranged closer to the long side edge 52 than the refrigerant pipe 89.

[0060] Refrigerant pipe 89 and refrigerant pipe 90 are connected to connection pipe 75 at a position closer to front edge 50 than connection portion P1. Connection pipe 75 is connected to refrigerant pipe 82 at connection portion P2. Connection portion P2 is located closer to front edge 50 than connection portion P1.

[0061] Refrigerant pipe 88 is formed to extend in second direction W along refrigerant pipe 87. Refrigerant pipe 88 branches into refrigerant pipe 91 and refrigerant pipe 92 near refrigerant pipe 90. Refrigerant pipe 92 is arranged closer to long side edge 52 than refrigerant pipe 91. Refrigerant pipe 91 and refrigerant pipe 92 are formed to extend in first direction L toward front end edge 50. Refrigerant pipe 90 and refrigerant pipe 91 are connected to connecting pipe 75.

[0062] The third cooling pipe unit 73 includes a plurality of refrigerant pipes 93-96 and a connecting pipe 76. The refrigerant pipe 93 extends from the connecting portion 70 in the first direction L. The refrigerant pipe 93 is disposed closer to the long side edge 53 than the refrigerant pipe 87. The refrigerant pipe 93 is bent at the connection portion between the protruding portion 54 and the front end edge 50, and extends toward the long side edge 52. The refrigerant pipe 93 is bent near the refrigerant pipe 87 and extends along the long side edge 52. The refrigerant pipe 93 is formed to extend in the second direction W near the refrigerant pipe 88.

[0063] The refrigerant pipe 93 branches into a refrigerant pipe 94, a refrigerant pipe 95, and a refrigerant pipe 96. The refrigerant pipe 93 is located closer to the long side edge 53 than the refrigerant pipes 94 and 95, and the refrigerant pipe 94 is located closer to the long side edge 53 than the refrigerant pipe 95. The refrigerant pipes 94, 95, and 96 are formed to extend in the first direction L toward the front end edge 50.

[0064] The refrigerant pipes 94, 95, and 96 are connected to the connecting pipe 76. The connecting pipe 76 is located closer to the front edge 50 than the connecting pipe 75. The connecting pipe 76 is connected to the connecting pipe 74 at a connection portion P3.

[0065] The heat transfer liquid C is supplied into the first flow path pipe 60 configured as described above from the first inlet portion 41. Then, the heat transfer liquid C flows through each cooling pipe.

[0066] The second flow path pipe 61 is formed in the same manner as the first flow path pipe 60. The second flow path pipe 61 is formed to be substantially symmetrical to the first flow path pipe 60 with respect to an imaginary line extending in the first direction L.

[0067] The second flow path pipe 61 includes a connection portion 99 , a fourth cooling pipe unit 77 , a fifth cooling pipe unit 78 , and a connection pipe 97 .

[0068] The connection portion 99 is formed at the tip of the protrusion 55, and the fourth cooling pipe unit 77 and the fifth cooling pipe unit 78 are connected to the connection portion 99.

[0069] The fourth cooling pipe unit 77 is formed to extend along the front end edge 50, the long side edge 53, and the rear end edge 51. The fourth cooling pipe unit 77 is bent in the second direction W at and near the center of the rear end edge 51 so as to extend toward the front end edge 50. The fourth cooling pipe unit 77 is connected to a connecting pipe 97. The connecting pipe 97 is connected to the outflow portion 43.

[0070] The fifth cooling pipe unit 78 is disposed inside the fourth cooling pipe unit 77, and is also formed to extend along the front end side 50, the long side side 53, and the rear end side 51. The fifth cooling pipe unit is connected to a connecting pipe 97. The sixth cooling pipe unit 79 is disposed inside the fifth cooling pipe unit 78, and is also connected to the connecting pipe 97.

[0071] The fourth cooling pipe unit 77 is formed in the same manner as the first cooling pipe unit 71, and also includes a plurality of cooling pipes. The fifth cooling pipe unit 78 is formed by combining the second cooling pipe unit 72 and the third cooling pipe unit 73.

[0072] The fourth cooling pipe unit 77 includes a plurality of refrigerant pipes 80A to 86A. The fifth cooling pipe unit 78 includes a plurality of refrigerant pipes 87A to 92A, refrigerant pipes 93A to 96A, and connecting pipes 75A and 76A.

[0073] The refrigerant pipe 80A of the fourth cooling pipe unit 77 extends from the connection portion 99 in the first direction L. The refrigerant pipe 80A is formed to extend from the connection portion of the protruding portion 55 and the front edge 50 along the front edge 50 toward the long side edge 53. The refrigerant pipe 80A is formed to extend along the long side edge 53 near the second end 57 toward the rear edge 51.

[0074] The refrigerant pipe 80A is formed to extend along the rear edge 51 toward the long side 52. At or near the center of the rear edge 51 in the second direction W, the refrigerant pipe 80A is formed to extend in the first direction L toward the front edge 50.

[0075] Refrigerant pipe 80A is formed symmetrically to refrigerant pipe 80 with respect to an imaginary line extending in first direction L. The other refrigerant pipes 81A to 96A are also formed symmetrically to refrigerant pipes 81 to 96 with respect to an imaginary line extending in first direction L.

[0076] 7 is a plan view showing a portion of the temperature adjustment device 12 and a plurality of power storage cells 30. In the example shown in this figure, the plurality of power storage cells 30 include power storage cells 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, and 30E. Power storage cell 30A is arranged on the longest side 52 side, and power storage cells 30B, 30C, 30D, and 30E are arranged toward long side 53.

[0077] Although the plurality of energy storage cells 30 are arranged in an array from the long side 52 to the long side 53, for convenience, only the energy storage cells 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, and 30E are shown in Fig. 7. The energy storage cells 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, and 30E are arranged to extend in the first direction L from the front end edge 50 to the rear end edge 51.

[0078] A refrigerant pipe 80 is arranged on the lower surface of the power storage cell 30A. In the first direction L, the refrigerant pipe 80 is arranged from one end to the other end of the lower surface of the power storage cell 30A.

[0079] The energy storage cell 30B is arranged adjacent to the energy storage cell 30A in the second direction W. A refrigerant pipe 87, a refrigerant pipe 80, a refrigerant pipe 81, and a refrigerant pipe 84 are located on the lower surface of the energy storage cell 30B. The refrigerant pipe 87 is arranged to extend in the first direction L on the lower surface of the energy storage cell 30B. The refrigerant pipes 80, 81, and 84 are arranged to extend in the second direction W. The length of the refrigerant pipe 87 extending in the first direction L on the lower surface of the energy storage cell 30B is, for example, 80% to 95% of the length of the energy storage cell 30B in the first direction L.

[0080] The energy storage cell 30C is provided adjacent to the energy storage cell 30B on the long side 53 side. A refrigerant pipe 93 and the like are arranged on the lower surface of the energy storage cell 30C. The length of the refrigerant pipe 93 extending in the first direction L on the lower surface of the energy storage cell 30C is, for example, 75% to 90% of the length of the energy storage cell 30C in the first direction L.

[0081] The energy storage cell 30D is provided adjacent to the energy storage cell 30C on the long side 53 side. A refrigerant pipe 96 and the like are arranged on the lower surface of the energy storage cell 30D. The length of the refrigerant pipe 96 extending in the first direction L on the lower surface of the energy storage cell 30D is, for example, 70% to 85% of the length of the energy storage cell 30D in the first direction L.

[0082] The energy storage cell 30E is disposed at the center of the accommodating case 10 in the second direction W. A refrigerant pipe 82 is disposed on the lower surface of the energy storage cell 30. The length of the refrigerant pipe 82 extending in the first direction L on the lower surface of the energy storage cell 30E is, for example, 80% to 95% of the length of the energy storage cell 30E in the first direction L.

[0083] In the vehicle 1 configured as described above, for example, the temperature of the power storage module 11 may be low when the vehicle 1 is started. Specifically, the control device 3 determines whether to adjust the temperature of the power storage module 11 based on the temperature information of the power storage module 11 transmitted from the temperature sensor 18.

[0084] For example, when the temperature of the power storage module 11 is lower than a first predetermined temperature, the control device 3 activates the temperature adjustment device 12 to raise the temperature of the power storage module 11. Specifically, the control device 3 connects the first inlet 41, the second inlet 42, and the outlet 43 of the power storage device 2 to the heater 4. The control device 3 then activates the heater 4, and the heat transfer fluid C heated by the heater 4 is supplied to the temperature adjustment device 12.

[0085] On the other hand, when the temperature of the power storage device 2 is higher than the second predetermined temperature, the control device 3 activates the temperature adjustment device 12 to cool the power storage module 11. Specifically, the control device 3 is connected to the power storage device 2 and the radiator 6. As a result, the heat transfer liquid C is circulated through the control device 3 and the radiator 6 by a pump (not shown), the heat transfer liquid C supplied from the control device 3 to the radiator 6 is cooled by the radiator 6, and the cooled heat transfer liquid C is supplied to the power storage device 2. The second predetermined temperature is higher than the first predetermined temperature.

[0086] Next, a description will be given of a case where the temperature of the energy storage module 11 is increased. Since the energy storage cells 30A, 30B, and 30C are close to the side wall 22 of the accommodating case 10, the heat received by the energy storage cell 30A from the temperature adjustment device 12 is easily dissipated to the outside through the side wall 22.

[0087] On the other hand, the storage cells 30D, 30E, etc., arranged toward the center of the storage case 10 in the second direction W are separated from the side wall 22, etc., of the storage case 10. Therefore, in the storage cells 30D, 30E arranged toward the center of the storage case 10, the heat supplied from the temperature adjustment device 12 is less likely to be dissipated to the outside of the storage case 10.

[0088] For this reason, the power storage cells 30A, 30B, and 30C are arranged in positions where heat can be more easily dissipated to the outside of the accommodating case 10 than the power storage cells 30D and 30E, and the power storage cells 30A, 30B, and 30C are arranged in positions where the temperature is less likely to rise. In this way, the closer the power storage cells 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, and 30E are to the side wall 22, the greater the amount of heat dissipated to the outside.

[0089] A refrigerant pipe 80 is arranged on the underside of the energy storage cell 30A. The heat transfer liquid C is supplied to the refrigerant pipe 80 immediately from the first inlet portion 41. The refrigerant pipe 80 is arranged from the end of the energy storage cell 30A on the front side 50 side to the end of the energy storage cell 30A on the rear side 51 side. Therefore, the energy storage cell 30A can be heated well.

[0090] Furthermore, since the refrigerant pipe 80 is arranged from the end on the front edge 50 side of the storage cell 30A to the end on the rear edge 51 side, a large temperature difference is prevented from occurring in the storage cell 30A from the front edge 50 side to the rear edge 51 side.

[0091] A refrigerant pipe 87 and refrigerant pipes 80, 81, and 84 are arranged on the lower surface of the power storage cell 30B.

[0092] The refrigerant pipe 87 is located in the center of the lower surface of the power storage cell 30B, and is disposed at a position that occupies most of the lower surface of the power storage cell 30B. The refrigerant pipe 87 is supplied with the heat transfer liquid C directly from the first inlet portion 41.

[0093] A refrigerant pipe 80 and a refrigerant pipe 81 are arranged on the underside of the power storage cell 30B, on the side of the front end edge 50. On the side of the front end edge 50, the refrigerant pipe 80 and the refrigerant pipe 81 are supplied with the heat transfer liquid C directly from the first inlet portion 41.

[0094] A refrigerant pipe 80 and a refrigerant pipe 84 are arranged on the lower surface of the energy storage cell 30B on the rear edge 51 side. On the rear edge 51 side, the heat transfer liquid C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 80 raises the temperature of the energy storage cell 30A and then raises the temperature of the energy storage cell 30B. The refrigerant pipe 84 is connected to a refrigerant pipe 87, and the heat transfer liquid C that has raised the temperature of the energy storage cell 30A is supplied to the refrigerant pipe 84.

[0095] In this way, the heat transfer liquid C supplied immediately from the first inlet 41 flows through the portion of the lower surface of the energy storage cell 30B other than the portion on the rear end side 51 side. This allows the energy storage cell 30B to be heated satisfactorily.

[0096] Furthermore, the refrigerant pipe 87 occupies a large proportion of the lower surface of the storage cell 30B, and the refrigerant pipe 87 is arranged from the front edge 50 side to the rear edge 51 side of the storage cell 30B.

[0097] This makes it possible to prevent a large temperature difference from occurring from the front end side 50 side to the rear end side 51 side in the energy storage cell 30B as well.

[0098] A refrigerant pipe 93, refrigerant pipes 80, 81, 87, and refrigerant pipes 84, 87, 88 are arranged on the lower surface of the power storage cell 30C.

[0099] The refrigerant pipe 93 is located in the center of the lower surface of the power storage cell 30C, and is disposed at a position that occupies most of the lower surface of the power storage cell 30C. The refrigerant pipe 93 is supplied with the heat transfer liquid C directly from the first inlet portion 41.

[0100] Refrigerant pipes 80, 81, and 87 are arranged on the underside of the storage cell 30C on the front edge 50 side. On the front edge 50 side, the heat transfer liquid C is supplied to the refrigerant pipes 80, 81, and 87 directly from the first inlet portion 41.

[0101] Refrigerant pipes 84, 87, and 88 are arranged on the lower surface of the energy storage cell 30C, closer to the rear edge 51. At the rear edge 51 side, the refrigerant pipe 84 branches off from the refrigerant pipe 80, and the heat transfer liquid C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 84 raises the temperature of the energy storage cell 30A and then raises the temperature of the energy storage cell 30C. At the rear edge 51 side, the heat transfer liquid C flowing through the refrigerant pipes 87 and 88 raises the temperature of the energy storage cell 30B and then raises the temperature of the energy storage cell 30C.

[0102] In this way, the heat transfer liquid C supplied immediately from the first inlet 41 flows through the portion of the lower surface of the energy storage cell 30C other than the portion on the rear end side 51 side. This allows the energy storage cell 30C to be heated satisfactorily.

[0103] The refrigerant pipe 93 occupies a large proportion of the lower surface of the storage cell 30B, and the refrigerant pipe 93 is arranged from the front edge 50 side to the rear edge 51 side of the storage cell 30C.

[0104] This makes it possible to prevent a large temperature difference from occurring from the front end edge 50 side to the rear end edge 51 side in the energy storage cell 30C as well.

[0105] A refrigerant pipe 96, refrigerant pipes 80, 81, 87, 93, and refrigerant pipes 80, 84, 87, 88 are arranged on the lower surface of the power storage cell 30D.

[0106] The refrigerant pipe 96 is located in the center of the lower surface of the power storage cell 30D, and is disposed at a position that occupies most of the lower surface of the power storage cell 30D. The refrigerant pipe 96 branches off from the refrigerant pipe 93, and the heat transfer liquid C flowing in the refrigerant pipe 93 raises the temperature of the power storage cell 30C, and then passes through the refrigerant pipe 96, raising the temperature of the power storage cell 30D.

[0107] Refrigerant pipes 80, 81, 87, and 93 are arranged on the underside of the storage cell 30D on the front edge 50 side. On the front edge 50 side, the heat transfer liquid C is supplied to the refrigerant pipes 80, 81, 87, and 93 directly from the first inlet portion 41.

[0108] Refrigerant pipes 80, 84, 87, and 88 are arranged on the lower surface of the storage cell 30D on the side of the rear end side 51. The heat transfer liquid C flowing through the refrigerant pipes 80, 84, 87, and 88 raises the temperature of the storage cells 30A, 30B, and 30C, and then raises the temperature of the storage cell 30D.

[0109] In this way, most of the heat transfer liquid C flowing below the bottom surface of the energy storage cell 30D tends to have a lower temperature than the heat transfer liquid C flowing below the bottom surfaces of the energy storage cells 30A, 30B, and 30C.

[0110] On the other hand, the power storage cell 30D is farther away from the side wall 22 than the power storage cells 30A, 30B, and 30C. The amount of heat dissipated from the power storage cell 30D to the outside is kept small compared to the power storage cells 30A, 30B, and 30C.

[0111] As a result, the temperature of the power storage cell 30D can be raised satisfactorily by the amount of heat supplied from the temperature adjustment device 12.

[0112] In the power storage cell 30D as well, the refrigerant pipe 96 is disposed in a portion that occupies most of the bottom surface of the power storage cell 30D, and the refrigerant pipe 96 extends from the front edge 50 toward the rear edge 51. This keeps the difference in internal temperature small in the power storage cell 30D as well.

[0113] A refrigerant pipe 82 is arranged on the underside of the power storage cell 30E, extending from the front edge 50 to the rear edge 51. The refrigerant pipe 82 branches off from the refrigerant pipe 80, and the heat transfer liquid C flowing through the refrigerant pipe 82 raises the temperature of the power storage cell 30A and the like, and then raises the temperature of the refrigerant pipe 80E.

[0114] In this way, most of the heat transfer liquid C flowing below the bottom surface of the energy storage cell 30E tends to have a lower temperature than the heat transfer liquid C flowing below the bottom surfaces of the energy storage cells 30A, 30B, and 30C.

[0115] On the other hand, the energy storage cell 30E is disposed in the center of the accommodating case 10 and is farther from the side wall 22 than the energy storage cells 30A, 30B, and 30C. The amount of heat dissipated from the energy storage cell 30E to the outside is kept small compared to the energy storage cells 30A, 30B, and 30C.

[0116] As a result, the temperature of the power storage cell 30E can be raised satisfactorily by the amount of heat supplied from the temperature adjustment device 12.

[0117] In the power storage cell 30E as well, the refrigerant pipe 82 is arranged from the front edge 50 side to the rear edge 51 side, and the difference in internal temperature is kept small in the power storage cell 30E as well.

[0118] Although the above description has been given with respect to the storage cells 30A to 30E arranged in the first flow path pipe 60, the same can be said for the storage cells 30 arranged in the second flow path pipe 61, in which case the temperature of each storage cell can be raised satisfactorily and the difference in internal temperature within each storage cell can be reduced.

[0119] 5 , the temperature adjustment device 12 includes one outlet 43 from which the heat transfer liquid C is discharged, and two inlets, a first inlet 41 and a second inlet 42, to which the heat transfer liquid C is supplied. By providing only one outlet 43 from which the heat transfer liquid C flows out, the temperature adjustment device 12 can be easily accommodated in the accommodation case 10, and the power storage device 2 can be easily mounted on the vehicle 1.

[0120] Furthermore, on the front end edge 50 side, the outlet section 43 is positioned between the first inlet section 41 and the second inlet section 42, thereby establishing the arrangement of refrigerant pipes such as the first flow path pipe 60 and the second flow path pipe 61.

[0121] Specifically, the first flow path pipe 60 and the second flow path pipe 61 can be formed symmetrically with respect to an imaginary line (the dashed line shown in FIG. 6 ) that passes through the outflow portion 43 and extends in the first direction L, and the refrigerant pipes of the first flow path pipe 60 and the second flow path pipe 61 can be arranged along the outer periphery of the main body 40. This allows the above-mentioned effects of each refrigerant pipe to be exerted.

[0122] Here, the case where the temperature of the power storage module 11 is increased has been described in detail, but the same applies to the case where the power storage module 11 is cooled.

[0123] For example, among the plurality of storage cells 30, the storage cells 30 closer to the side wall 22 are more likely to be heated by the temperature outside the storage case 10. On the other hand, in the temperature adjustment device 12 described above, the refrigerant pipe is arranged along the outer periphery of the main body 40, and the storage cells 30A and the like located near the side wall 22 can be cooled effectively.

[0124] Furthermore, in each of the storage cells 30, the refrigerant pipe is arranged from the front edge 50 side to the rear edge 51 side, so that the occurrence of differences in the internal temperatures within the storage cells 30 is suppressed.

[0125] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the scope of the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0126] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 vehicle, 2 power storage device, 3 control device, 4 heater, 5 vehicle body, 6 radiator, 10 housing case, 11 power storage module, 12 temperature adjustment device, 14 lower case, 15 upper case, 16, 34 bottom plate, 17 peripheral wall, 18 temperature sensor, 20, 21, 37, 38 end wall, 22, 23 side wall, 30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30C, 30D, 30E power storage cell, 31 cell case, 33 top plate, 35, 36 long side wall, 39A, 39B electrode terminal, 40 main body portion, 41 first inlet portion, 42 second inlet portion, 43 outlet portion, 45 lower plate, 46 upper plate, 47 groove, 50 front end edge, 51 rear end edge, 52, 53 long side edge, 54, 55 Protrusion, 56 First end, 57 Second end, 58 Third end, 59 Fourth end, 60, 61 Line pipe, 70, 99 Connection portion, 71 First cooling pipe unit, 72 Second cooling pipe unit, 73 Third cooling pipe unit, 74, 75, 75A, 76, 76A, 97 Connection pipe, 77 Fourth cooling pipe unit, 78 Fifth cooling pipe unit, 79 Sixth cooling pipe unit, 80, 80A, 80E, 81, 81A, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 86A, 87, 87A, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 92A, 93, 93A, 94, 95, 96, 96A Refrigerant pipes.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; and an electric storage device mounted on the vehicle body, wherein the electric storage device includes an electric storage module and a temperature adjustment device provided in the electric storage module, wherein the temperature adjustment device has a main body portion; a first end edge located at one end of the main body portion in a first direction; a second end edge located at the other end of the main body portion in the first direction; and a first inlet portion, a second inlet portion and an outlet portion provided on the first end edge side, wherein a first flow path pipe connected to the first inlet portion is formed in the main body portion, and the first flow path pipe is formed to extend from the first inlet portion along the outer peripheral edge of the main body portion and to extend so as to reach the second end edge.

2. A vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein, when a direction intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, the first inlet portion and the second inlet portion are arranged at an interval in the second direction, and in the second direction, the outlet portion is arranged between the first inlet portion and the second inlet portion.

3. The vehicle described in claim 2, wherein the main body portion includes a second flow pipe connected to the second inlet portion, the first end edge includes a first end and a second end, the second end edge includes a third end and a fourth end, the main body portion includes a first side edge and a second side edge spaced apart in the second direction, the first side edge and the second side edge extend in the first direction, the first side edge connects the first end of the first end edge to the third end of the second end edge, and the second side edge connects the second end of the first end edge to the fourth end of the second end edge, the first flow pipe is formed to extend along the first end edge towards the first side edge, extend along the first side edge towards the second end edge and extend along the second end edge, and the second flow pipe is formed to extend along the first end edge towards the second side edge, extend along the second side edge towards the second end edge and extend along the second end edge.

4. A vehicle as described in claim 3, wherein the first flow path pipe is formed to extend from the third end of the second end side toward the fourth end, the second flow path pipe is formed to extend from the fourth end of the second end side toward the third end, and the first flow path pipe and the second flow path pipe are formed to extend from the center of the second end side and its periphery toward the first end side.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the first flow pipe and the second flow pipe are connected to the outlet portion.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage module includes an energy storage cell extending in the first direction, the first flow pipe includes at least one cooling pipe, and the cooling pipe is disposed on a lower surface of the energy storage cell and extends in the first direction.

7. An electricity storage device comprising: an electricity storage module; and a temperature adjustment device provided in the electricity storage module, wherein the temperature adjustment device has a main body portion; a first end edge located at one end of the main body portion in a first direction; a second end edge located at the other end of the main body portion in the first direction; and a first inlet portion, a second inlet portion, and an outlet portion provided on the first end edge side, wherein a first flow path pipe connected to the first inlet portion is formed in the main body portion, and the first flow path pipe is formed to extend from the first inlet portion along the outer peripheral edge of the main body portion and to extend so as to reach the second end edge.

8. A temperature adjustment device provided in an energy storage module, comprising: a main body; a first end edge located at one end of the main body in a first direction; a second end edge located at the other end of the main body in the first direction; and a first inlet portion, a second inlet portion, and an outlet portion provided on the first end edge side, wherein a first flow path pipe connected to the first inlet portion is formed in the main body, and the first flow path pipe is formed to extend from the first inlet portion along the outer peripheral edge of the main body and to extend so as to reach the second end edge.

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