Battery module

Abstract

A battery module (10A) comprises battery cells (100), a housing (400) that forms an accommodation space for accommodating the battery cells (100), and a structure for causing a cooling liquid to flow through the accommodation space.

Description

Battery module

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

[0002] In recent years, various battery modules have been developed. The battery module includes a battery cell and a housing that houses the battery cell.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes the cooling of a battery pack including one or more electrochemical cells. In the cooling of the battery pack, a heat management fluid is passed over the surface of the battery pack to absorb the heat of the battery pack.

[0004] Patent Documents 2 to 6 describe the cooling of battery cells. In the cooling of the battery cells, the battery cells are cooled by a cooling body having a flow path for flowing a coolant.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-529413, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-536344, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-20196, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-199186, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-66647, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-212481

[0006] In the battery module, the battery cells housed in the housing may be cooled. In the cooling of the battery cells, it may be required to improve the cooling efficiency of the battery cells.

[0007] An example of the object of the present invention is to improve the cooling efficiency of the battery cells housed in the housing. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description herein.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is as follows. 1. A battery module including a battery cell, a housing that forms a housing space for housing the battery cell, and a structure for flowing a coolant through the housing space. 2. The battery module according to 1., wherein the housing space has a flow path for controlling the flow of the coolant. 3. The battery module according to 2., further including an adhesive for bonding the battery cell and the housing to each other, wherein the adhesive at least partially defines the flow path.

[0009] According to the above aspect of the present invention, the cooling efficiency of the battery cells housed in the housing can be improved.

[0010] This is a perspective view of the battery module according to Embodiment 1. This is a top view of the battery module according to Embodiment 2. This is a perspective view of the battery module according to Embodiment 3. This is a perspective view of the battery module according to Embodiment 4. This is a perspective view of one side of the battery module according to Embodiment 5. This is a perspective view of the battery module according to Embodiment 6. This is a perspective view of the battery module according to Embodiment 7.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted where appropriate.

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the battery module 10A according to Embodiment 1.

[0013] Figure 1 includes X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis for illustrative purposes, indicating the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively. The X-axis indicates the front-to-back direction of the battery module 10A. The Y-axis is perpendicular to the X-axis. The Y-axis indicates the left-to-right direction of the battery module 10A. The Z-axis is perpendicular to both the X and Y directions. The Z-axis indicates the up-to-down direction of the battery module 10A. The ends of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are pointed towards the rear, right, and upward directions of the battery module 10A, respectively.

[0014] Unless otherwise specified, the +X side refers to the side to which the X-axis is pointed, and the -X side refers to the opposite side from which the X-axis is pointed. Unless otherwise specified, the +Y side refers to the side to which the Y-axis is pointed, and the -Y side refers to the opposite side from which the Y-axis is pointed. Unless otherwise specified, the +Z side refers to the side to which the Z-axis is pointed, and the -Z side refers to the opposite side from which the Z-axis is pointed.

[0015] The battery module 10A according to this embodiment includes a plurality of battery cells 100, a first protector 210, a second protector 220, a first busbar 310, a second busbar 320, a housing 400, an inlet 510, and an outlet 520.

[0016] Multiple battery cells 100 are stacked in the Y direction. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the cell stack 100q refers to the multiple battery cells 100 stacked in the Y direction. Each battery cell 100 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a pair of faces facing each other in the X direction, another pair of faces facing each other in the Y direction, and yet another pair of faces facing each other in the Z direction. When viewed from the X direction, the pair of faces of each battery cell 100 facing each other in the X direction has a substantially rectangular shape with a pair of short sides substantially parallel to the Y direction and a pair of long sides substantially parallel to the Z direction. When viewed from the Y direction, the other pair of faces of each battery cell 100 facing each other in the Y direction has a substantially rectangular shape with a pair of long sides substantially parallel to the X direction and a pair of short sides substantially parallel to the Z direction. When viewed from the Z direction, the yet another pair of faces of each battery cell 100 facing each other in the Z direction has a substantially rectangular shape with a pair of long sides substantially parallel to the X direction and a pair of short sides substantially parallel to the Y direction. The shape of each battery cell 100 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 1.

[0017] Each battery cell 100 has a battery element, which is enclosed by an outer casing 110 and not explicitly shown in Figure 1, the outer casing 110, a positive terminal 122, and a negative terminal 124. The battery element includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. The outer casing 110 seals the battery element. The positive terminal 122 is drawn out from one end of the outer casing 110 in the X direction, and the negative terminal 124 is drawn out from the other end of the outer casing 110 in the X direction. The positive terminal 122 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery element, and the negative terminal 124 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the battery element.

[0018] Multiple battery cells 100 are electrically connected to each other in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel via positive terminals 122 and negative terminals 124. In one embodiment, the cell stack 100q has multiple cell groups 100p stacked in the Y direction, and each cell group 100p includes multiple battery cells 100 connected in parallel adjacent to each other in the Y direction. In the example shown in Figure 1, each cell group 100p includes two battery cells 100. Adjacent cell groups 100p in the Y direction have a terminal group 120 that electrically connects the battery elements of adjacent cell groups 100p in the Y direction to each other. The terminal group 120 includes a positive terminal 122 drawn from one cell group 100p of the adjacent cell groups 100p in the Y direction, and a negative terminal 124 drawn from the other cell group 100p of the adjacent cell groups 100p in the Y direction. The positive terminal 122 and negative terminal 124 included in the terminal group 120 are joined to each other and are folded back from one adjacent cell group 100p to the other in the Y direction. Multiple cell groups 100p are connected in series sequentially by terminal groups 120 located alternately on the -X side and +X side of the cell stack 100q, from the cell group 100p located at one end in the Y direction to the cell group 100p located at the other end in the Y direction.

[0019] The electrical connections of the multiple battery cells 100 contained in the cell stack 100q are not limited to the examples described above. For example, multiple single battery cells 100 may be connected in series.

[0020] The first protector 210 is located on the -X side with respect to the cell stack 100q. The first protector 210 defines multiple openings that expose multiple terminal groups 120 located on the -X side of the cell stack 100q toward the -X side. The first protector 210 is capable of holding a voltage detection unit, such as a harness, for detecting the voltage of the multiple terminal groups 120 located on the -X side of the cell stack 100q.

[0021] The second protector 220 is located on the +X side with respect to the cell stack 100q. The second protector 220 defines multiple openings that expose multiple terminal groups 120 located on the +X side of the cell stack 100q toward the +X side. The second protector 220 is capable of holding a voltage detection unit, such as a harness, for detecting the voltage of the multiple terminal groups 120 located on the +X side of the cell stack 100q.

[0022] The first busbar 310 is attached to the -Y side end of the first protector 210. The first busbar 310 is electrically connected to a positive terminal 122 that is drawn out toward the -X side from the cell group 100p located furthest toward the -Y side of the cell stack 100q.

[0023] The second busbar 320 is attached to the +Y side end of the second protector 220. The second busbar 320 is electrically connected to a negative terminal 124 that is drawn out toward the +X side from the cell group 100p located furthest toward the +Y side of the cell stack 100q.

[0024] The housing 400 forms a housing space for housing the cell laminate 100q, the first protector 210, the second protector 220, the first busbar 310, and the second busbar 320. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the housing space of the housing 400 refers to the space of the housing 400 for housing the cell laminate 100q, the first protector 210, the second protector 220, the first busbar 310, and the second busbar 320. The housing 400 includes a first plate 410, a second plate 420, a third plate 430, a fourth plate 440, a fifth plate 450, and a sixth plate 460. Each plate is not particularly limited as long as the desired rigidity is obtained, but for example, it may be made of metal or resin. For example, the first plate 410 and the second plate 420 may be made of resin, while the third plate 430, the fourth plate 440, the fifth plate 450, and the sixth plate 460 may be made of metal. By making the first plate 410 and the second plate 420 of resin, it becomes easier to mold the first plate 410 and the second plate 420 for providing the inlet 510 and the outlet 520, and by making the third plate 430, the fourth plate 440, the fifth plate 450, and the sixth plate 460 of metal, it becomes easier to maintain the strength of the housing 400. In Figure 1, the housing 400 is depicted with a dashed outline so that the inside of the housing space of the housing 400 is visible.

[0025] The first plate 410 covers the -X side of the cell laminate 100q with the first protector 210 positioned between the -X side of the cell laminate 100q and the +X side of the first plate 410. The second plate 420 covers the +X side of the cell laminate 100q with the second protector 220 positioned between the +X side of the cell laminate 100q and the -X side of the second plate 420. Viewed from the X direction, the first plate 410 and the second plate 420 have a substantially rectangular shape with a pair of long sides substantially parallel to the Y direction and a pair of short sides substantially parallel to the Z direction.

[0026] The third plate 430 covers the -Y side of the cell laminate 100q. The fourth plate 440 covers the +Y side of the cell laminate 100q. Viewed from the Y direction, the third plate 430 and the fourth plate 440 have a substantially rectangular shape with a pair of long sides substantially parallel to the X direction and a pair of short sides substantially parallel to the Z direction.

[0027] The fifth plate 450 covers the +Z side of the cell laminate 100q. The sixth plate 460 covers the -Z side of the cell laminate 100q. Viewed from the Z direction, the fifth plate 450 and the sixth plate 460 have a roughly rectangular shape with a pair of long sides substantially parallel to the X direction and a pair of short sides substantially parallel to the Y direction.

[0028] The housing 400 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, including six faces: the -X side of the first plate 410, the +X side of the second plate 420, the -Y side of the third plate 430, the +Y side of the fourth plate 440, the +Z side of the fifth plate 450, and the -Z side of the sixth plate 460. As will be described later, the housing 400 is configured so that coolant flows into the housing space of the housing 400. Therefore, the parts that form each side of the rectangular parallelepiped shape of the plates constituting the housing 400 are joined to each other so that the housing space of the housing 400 is watertightly sealed. For example, the parts that form each side of the rectangular parallelepiped shape of the plates may be watertightly welded to each other. Alternatively, the parts that form each side of the rectangular parallelepiped shape of the plates may be joined to each other with a sealing material positioned between them. By watertightly sealing the housing space of the housing 400, leakage of coolant from the housing space of the housing 400 can be suppressed.

[0029] The inlet 510 and outlet 520 are located around the Z-direction of the housing space of the housing 400. Specifically, the inlet 510 is provided at the corner between the +Y-side and +Z-side edges of the -X-side face of the first plate 410, and the outlet 520 is provided at the corner between the -Y-side and -Z-side edges of the +X-side face of the second plate 420. The positions in which the inlet 510 and outlet 520 are attached to the housing 400 are not limited to the example shown in Figure 1.

[0030] The inlet 510 is configured so that the coolant flows into the housing space of the enclosure 400 through the inlet 510. The outlet 520 is configured so that the coolant flows out of the housing space of the enclosure 400 through the outlet 520. Therefore, the enclosure 400 is configured so that the coolant flows into the housing space of the enclosure 400 from the inlet 510 to the outlet 520. Thus, the inlet 510 and the outlet 520 are structured to allow the coolant to flow into the housing space of the enclosure 400.

[0031] The coolant flowing through the housing space of the casing 400 is not particularly limited, as long as it does not cause a short circuit between the battery cells 100 via the coolant. For example, lubricating oil can be used as the coolant.

[0032] In this embodiment, the coolant flows from the inlet 510 to the outlet 520 through the space between the +Z side of the cell stack 100q and the -Z side of the fifth plate 450, and through the space between the -Z side of the cell stack 100q and the +Z side of the sixth plate 460. Referring to Figure 1, the flow of the coolant in the space between the +Z side of the cell stack 100q and the -Z side of the fifth plate 450 will be described. Matters describing the flow of the coolant in the space between the +Z side of the cell stack 100q and the -Z side of the fifth plate 450 are also applicable to the flow of the coolant in the space between the -Z side of the cell stack 100q and the +Z side of the sixth plate 460.

[0033] The +Z side surface of the cell laminate 100q and the -Z side surface of the fifth plate 450 are joined to each other by a plurality of adhesives 600. Each adhesive 600 is, for example, glue. The coolant can flow through the gaps between the +Z side surface of the cell laminate 100q and the -Z side surface of the fifth plate 450 that are not filled by each adhesive 600. Therefore, the coolant can directly contact the portion of the +Z side surface of the cell laminate 100q that is not covered by the adhesives 600. Direct contact of the coolant with the cell laminate 100q makes it possible to directly cool the cell laminate 100q with the coolant. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the cell laminate 100q can be improved compared to indirectly cooling the cell laminate 100q by directly contacting the cell laminate 100q with a closed channel such as a pipe through which the coolant flows, or by indirectly contacting the cell laminate 100q with a closed channel while a heat conductive material is positioned between the closed channel and the cell laminate 100q.

[0034] In the example shown in Figure 1, when viewed from the Z direction, two adhesives 600, each having a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the Y direction, are arranged in a staggered pattern in the X direction, with one other adhesive 600 having a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the Y direction. Therefore, the multiple adhesives 600 define a flow path for controlling the flow of the coolant so that it meanders through the gaps between the +Z side surface of the cell laminate 100q and the -Z side surface of the fifth plate 450 that are not filled by each adhesive 600. By causing the coolant to meander, the coolant can be kept in the space between the +Z side surface of the cell laminate 100q and the -Z side surface of the fifth plate 450 for a longer period of time compared to when the coolant flows straight in the X direction, making it easier to cool the cell laminate 100q uniformly. In the example shown in Figure 1, the multiple adhesives 600 are arranged so that no straight flow path is formed in the X direction across the entire length of the cell laminate 100q from the -X end to the +X end, between the +Z side surface of the cell laminate 100q and the -Z side surface of the fifth plate 450. Therefore, the coolant can be prevented from flowing straight in the X direction across the entire length of the cell laminate 100q from the -X end to the +X end.

[0035] As described above, in Embodiment 1, by appropriately arranging a plurality of adhesives 600, the plurality of adhesives 600 define at least partially a flow path for controlling the flow of the coolant. The flow path defined by the plurality of adhesives 600 is not limited to a flow path for meandering the coolant, but can be any flow path depending on the cooling method of the cell laminate 100q. Furthermore, the flow path for meandering the coolant is not limited to the example described above in Embodiment 1.

[0036] In the above description, multiple adhesives 600 are placed between the +Z side surface of the cell laminate 100q and the -Z side surface of the fifth plate 450. Similarly, adhesives for controlling the flow of coolant can also be placed between the -Z side surface of the cell laminate 100q and the +Z side surface of the sixth plate 460.

[0037] In Embodiment 1, the coolant flows from the inlet 510 to the -X end of the space between the +Z side surface of the cell stack 100q and the -Z side surface of the fifth plate 450, passing around the multiple terminal groups 120 and the first busbar 310 located on the -X side of the cell stack 100q. Therefore, the multiple terminal groups 120 and the first busbar 310 located on the -X side of the cell stack 100q can be directly cooled by the coolant. In Embodiment 1, the coolant flows from the +X end of the space between the +Z side surface of the cell stack 100q and the -Z side surface of the fifth plate 450 to the outlet 520, passing around the multiple terminal groups 120 and the second busbar 320 located on the +X side of the cell stack 100q. Therefore, the multiple terminal groups 120 and the second busbar 320 located on the +X side of the cell stack 100q can be directly cooled by the coolant.

[0038] In Embodiment 1, the inlet 510 is positioned offset to the +Z side with respect to a plane perpendicular to the Z direction, passing through the outlet 520, and the outlet 520 is positioned offset to the -Z side with respect to a plane perpendicular to the Z direction, passing through the inlet 510. Therefore, while the coolant is flowing into the housing space of the housing 400, it is possible to easily fill the housing space of the housing 400 with coolant over almost the entire Z direction. The positions of the inlet 510 and the outlet 520 in the Z direction are not limited to the example shown in Figure 1. For example, the inlet 510 and the outlet 520 may be located on the same plane perpendicular to the Z direction.

[0039] In Embodiment 1, in the projection of the housing 400, inlet 510, and outlet 520 onto a plane perpendicular to the Z direction, the inlet 510 and outlet 520 are positioned opposite each other in substantially diagonal directions relative to the housing 400. Therefore, while the coolant is flowing into the housing space of the housing 400, it is possible to easily fill the housing space of the housing 400 with coolant over almost the entire Y direction. The Y-direction positions of the inlet 510 and outlet 520 are not limited to the example shown in Figure 1. For example, in the projection of the housing 400, inlet 510, and outlet 520 onto a plane perpendicular to the Z direction, the inlet 510 and outlet 520 may be aligned in the X direction.

[0040] Figure 2 is a top view of the battery module 10B according to Embodiment 2. The battery module 10B according to Embodiment 2 is the same as the battery module 10A according to Embodiment 1, except for the following points. In Figure 2, the white circle with a black dot indicating the Z axis indicates that the tip of the Z axis is pointed towards the viewer of the paper.

[0041] The battery module 10B according to Embodiment 2 includes a closed channel 700B. The closed channel 700B is formed of, for example, resin. The closed channel 700B is located in the portion between the +Z side surface of the cell stack 100q and the -Z side surface of the fifth plate 450 where the multiple adhesives 600 are not embedded. The closed channel 700B is closed except for both ends in the X direction. The -X side end of the closed channel 700B is open toward the -X side. The +X side end of the closed channel 700B is open toward the +X side. Therefore, the coolant can flow through the closed channel 700B from the -X side end to the +X side end. Thus, the closed channel 700B serves as a channel for controlling the flow of the coolant. In Embodiment 2, the cell stack 100q can be cooled by the coolant flowing through the closed channel 700B. By flowing the coolant through the closed channel 700B, the coolant can be prevented from coming into contact with the multiple adhesives 600. Therefore, the effect of the coolant on the adhesives 600 can be suppressed.

[0042] In Embodiment 2, the coolant flows from the inlet 510 to the open end on the -X side of the closed flow path 700B, around the multiple terminal groups 120 and the first busbar 310 located on the -X side of the cell stack 100q. Therefore, the multiple terminal groups 120 and the first busbar 310 located on the -X side of the cell stack 100q can be directly cooled by the coolant. In Embodiment 2, the coolant flows from the open end on the +X side of the closed flow path 700B to the outlet 520, around the multiple terminal groups 120 and the second busbar 320 located on the +X side of the cell stack 100q. Therefore, the multiple terminal groups 120 and the second busbar 320 located on the +X side of the cell stack 100q can be directly cooled by the coolant.

[0043] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the battery module 10C according to Embodiment 3. The battery module 10C according to Embodiment 3 is the same as the battery module 10A according to Embodiment 1, except for the following points.

[0044] In the battery module 10C according to Embodiment 3, the inlet 510 and the outlet 520 are provided on both sides in the Y direction of the accommodation space of the housing 400. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the inlet 510 is attached to a substantially central portion of the -Y side surface of the third plate 430, and the outlet 520 is attached to a substantially central portion of the +Y side surface of the fourth plate 440. The positions where the inlet 510 and the outlet 520 are attached to the housing 400 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3.

[0045] In Embodiment 3, the coolant can flow along the longitudinal direction of each adhesive 600 in the space between the +Z side surface of the cell stack 100q and the -Z side surface of the fifth plate 450. Therefore, the pressure loss of the coolant in the accommodation space of the housing 400 can be reduced as compared with the case where the coolant flows along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of each adhesive 600. Further, in Embodiment 3, the dimension of the housing 400 in the Y direction is less than the dimension of the housing 400 in the X direction. Therefore, flowing the coolant along the Y direction can make the flow path of the coolant in the accommodation space of the housing 400 shorter than flowing the coolant along the X direction, and can easily improve the cooling efficiency of the cell stack 100q.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the battery module 10D according to Embodiment 4. The battery module 10D according to Embodiment 4 is the same as the battery module 10A according to Embodiment 1, except for the following points.

[0047] In the battery module 10D according to Embodiment 4, the inlet 510 is attached to the +Z side portion of the housing 400, and the plurality of outlets 520 are attached to the -Z side portion of the housing 400. In the projection of the plurality of outlets 520 onto a plane perpendicular to the Z direction including the inlet 510, the plurality of outlets 520 are located around the inlet 510. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the inlet 510 is attached to substantially the center of the +Z side surface of the fifth plate 450, and two outlets 520 are attached to the corners between the -Y side and -Z side edges and between the +Y side and -Z side edges of the -X side surface of the first plate 410, and the other two outlets 520 are attached to the corners between the -Y side and -Z side edges and between the +Y side and -Z side edges of the +X side surface of the second plate 420. The number and arrangement of the inlet 510 and the outlets 520 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 4. For example, a plurality of inlets 510 may be attached to the +Z side portion of the housing 400. The number of outlets 520 attached to the -Z side portion of the housing 400 may be only one.

[0048] The cell stack 100q tends to become hotter at substantially the center in the X and Y directions of the cell stack 100q than at the peripheral portions of the substantially center in the X and Y directions of the cell stack 100q. Therefore, in Embodiment 4, the cooling liquid can be flowed into the cell stack 100q through the inlet 510 at a location where the cell stack 100q tends to become relatively hot, and the cooling liquid can be flowed out from the cell stack 100q through the plurality of outlets 520 at a location where the cell stack 100q is less likely to become hot. Therefore, it is possible to easily improve the cooling efficiency of the cell stack 100q.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a perspective partial cross-sectional view of the battery module 10E according to Embodiment 5. The battery module 10E according to Embodiment 5 is the same as the battery module 10A according to Embodiment 1, except for the following points. The cross-section shown in FIG. 5 shows a cross-section perpendicular to the X direction at substantially the center in the X direction of the battery module 10E according to Embodiment 5.

[0050] In the battery module 10E according to Embodiment 5, a closed channel 700E is provided in the approximate center of the cell stack 100q in the Y direction. The closed channel 700E extends in the X direction. The closed channel 700E has a hollow structure with both ends in the X direction open. The inlet 510 and the -X side end of the closed channel 700E communicate with each other through a portion of the housing space of the housing 400 located on the -X side with respect to the cell stack 100q. The outlet 520 and the +X side end of the closed channel 700E communicate with each other through a portion of the housing space of the housing 400 located on the +X side with respect to the cell stack 100q. In Embodiment 5, the coolant can flow from the inlet 510 to the outlet 520 not only through the space between the +Z side surface of the cell stack 100q and the -Z side surface of the fifth plate 450, and the space between the -Z side surface of the cell stack 100q and the +Z side surface of the sixth plate 460, but also through the closed channel 700E. Therefore, the closed channel 700E serves as a channel for controlling the flow of the coolant. The cell stack 100q tends to become hotter at approximately the center of the cell stack 100q in the Y direction than at the portions on either side of the approximately center of the cell stack 100q in the Y direction. Therefore, by providing the closed channel 700E at approximately the center of the cell stack 100q in the Y direction, the cooling efficiency of the cell stack 100q can be improved.

[0051] The location where the closed channel 700E is provided is not limited to the location described in Embodiment 5. The closed channel 700E can be provided at any location in the housing space of the housing 400, for example, instead of or in addition to the approximate center of the cell stack 100q in the Y direction. It can be provided at a location different from the space between the +Z side surface of the cell stack 100q and the -Z side surface of the fifth plate 450. By providing the closed channel 700E at an appropriate location, it becomes possible to adjust the temperature distribution of the cell stack 100q.

[0052] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the battery module 10F according to Embodiment 6. The battery module 10F according to Embodiment 6 is the same as the battery module 10A according to Embodiment 1, except for the following points.

[0053] In the battery module 10F according to Embodiment 6, the space between the +Z side surface of the cell stack 100q and the -Z side surface of the fifth plate 450 is divided into a -X side space and a +X side space by a dividing adhesive 600F. The dividing adhesive 600F is located approximately in the center of the space between the +Z side surface of the cell stack 100q and the -Z side surface of the fifth plate 450 in the X direction, and extends in the Y direction from the -Y side end to the +Y side end of the cell stack 100q. The space between the -Z side surface of the cell stack 100q and the +Z side surface of the sixth plate 460 is also divided into a -X side space and a +X side space by a dividing adhesive corresponding to the dividing adhesive 600F shown in Figure 6. Therefore, the housing space of the housing 400 is partitioned into a -X side space and a +X side space. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the -X side space of the enclosure 400 refers to the -X side space separated from the +X side space of the enclosure 400's housing space, and the +X side space of the enclosure 400 refers to the +X side space separated from the -X side space of the enclosure 400's housing space.

[0054] The battery module 10F according to Embodiment 6 includes a first inlet 512 and a first outlet 522 that communicate with the -X side space of the housing 400. In the example shown in Figure 6, the first inlet 512 is attached to the corner between the +Y side and the +Z side of the -X side surface of the first plate 410, and the first outlet 522 is attached to the corner between the -Y side and the -Z side of the -X side surface of the first plate 410. The positions in which the first inlet 512 and the first outlet 522 are attached to the housing 400 are not limited to the example shown in Figure 6. Because the -X side space and the +X side space of the housing 400 are separated from each other, the coolant flowing from the first inlet 512 to the first outlet 522 flows through the -X side space of the housing 400. Therefore, the flow path of the coolant from the first inlet 512 to the first outlet 522 can be shortened compared to flowing the coolant from the -X side to the +X side of the cell stack 100q. By shortening the flow path of the coolant, it is easier to suppress the temperature rise of the coolant flowing from the first inlet 512 to the first outlet 522, and the cooling efficiency of the cell stack 100q can be easily improved.

[0055] The battery module 10F according to Embodiment 6 includes a second inlet 514 and a second outlet 524 that communicate with the +X side space of the housing 400. In the example shown in Figure 6, the second inlet 514 is attached to the corner between the -Y side and the +Z side edge of the +X side surface of the second plate 420, and the second outlet 524 is attached to the corner between the +Y side and the -Z side edge of the +X side surface of the second plate 420. The positions in which the second inlet 514 and the second outlet 524 are attached to the housing 400 are not limited to the example shown in Figure 6. Because the -X side space and the +X side space of the housing 400 are separated from each other, the coolant flowing from the second inlet 514 to the second outlet 524 flows through the +X side space of the housing 400. Therefore, the flow path of the coolant from the second inlet 514 to the second outlet 524 can be shortened compared to flowing the coolant from the -X side to the +X side of the cell stack 100q. By shortening the flow path of the coolant, it is easier to suppress the temperature rise of the coolant flowing from the second inlet 514 to the second outlet 524, and thus it is easier to improve the cooling efficiency of the cell stack 100q.

[0056] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the battery module 10G according to Embodiment 7. The battery module 10G according to Embodiment 7 is the same as the battery module 10A according to Embodiment 1, except for the following points.

[0057] In the battery module 10G according to Embodiment 7, the inlet 510 and outlet 520 are located approximately in the center of the housing 400 in the Z direction. Therefore, while the coolant is flowing through the housing space of the housing 400, the coolant does not accumulate throughout the entire housing space of the housing 400 in the Z direction, but rather accumulates in approximately half of the housing space on the -Z side. Thus, compared to the case where the coolant accumulates throughout the entire housing space of the housing 400 in the Z direction while the coolant is flowing through it, the amount of coolant used to cool the cell stack 100q can be reduced, thereby reducing the material cost of the coolant and the weight of the battery module 10G.

[0058] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, but these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0059] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-192774, filed on November 1, 2024, and incorporates all of its disclosures herein.

[0060] 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G Battery module, 100 Battery cell, 100p Cell group, 100q Cell stack, 110 Outer material, 120 Terminal group, 122 Positive terminal, 124 Negative terminal, 210 First protector, 220 Second protector, 310 First busbar, 320 Second busbar, 400 Housing, 410 First plate, 420 Second plate, 430 Third plate, 440 Fourth plate, 450 Fifth plate, 460 Sixth plate, 510 Inlet, 512 First inlet, 514 Second inlet, 520 Outlet, 522 First outlet, 524 Second outlet, 600 Adhesive, 600F Separating adhesive, 700B, 700E Closed channel

Claims

1. A battery module comprising: a battery cell; a housing forming a housing space for housing the battery cell; and a structure for circulating a cooling liquid into the housing space.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the containment space has a flow path for controlling the flow of the coolant.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, further comprising an adhesive for bonding the battery cell and the housing together, wherein the adhesive at least partially defines the flow path.

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