JP2009009730A - Power supply - Google Patents

Abstract

A power supply apparatus having a simplified configuration and capable of suppressing an excessive temperature rise and temperature drop of a power supply body is provided.
A power supply device according to the present invention includes a power supply body (2), a power supply body (2), a case (30) containing a coolant (4) used for cooling the power supply body (2), and a case (30) and the heat transfer member (F) are in contact with each other, and the coolant storing means (50) for storing the coolant (4) therein, and the coolant (4) of the coolant storing means (50) inside the case Drive means (60) for moving the cooling liquid (4) in the case (S1) into the cooling liquid storage means (S2) as well as being moved to (S1).
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device capable of suppressing an excessive temperature rise or temperature drop of a power supply body.

  Conventionally, there are a hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, an electric vehicle, and the like that travel by driving force from an electric motor. In these vehicles, a secondary battery or a capacitor (capacitor) that stores electric power supplied to the electric motor is mounted.

  The performance and life of the secondary battery greatly depend on the environmental temperature, and the secondary battery may be significantly deteriorated. That is, in a state where the secondary battery (battery pack) is in contact with the vehicle body, the battery pack may be excessively cooled or excessively heated by the environmental temperature.

  For example, in winter, the temperature of the vehicle body may reach below freezing point, and in this case, the battery pack in contact with the vehicle body is excessively cooled. Further, in summer, the temperature of the vehicle body rises and the battery pack that contacts the vehicle body is excessively heated.

  And the secondary battery can obtain sufficient battery characteristics within a predetermined temperature range, and when the temperature of the secondary battery is lower than the lower limit value of the temperature range or higher than the upper limit value. In some cases, sufficient battery characteristics cannot be obtained, and further deterioration of performance may be promoted. In particular, charging / discharging in a state higher than the upper limit is a major factor that degrades performance.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes a configuration for optimizing the heat dissipation of the secondary battery. In this patent document 1, the battery pack is housed in a vacuum heat insulating container, a gas for adjusting the degree of vacuum is placed in the vacuum heat insulating layer, and the vacuum heat insulating layer is filled with an adsorbent or absorbent that absorbs or absorbs this gas. The degree of vacuum of the vacuum heat insulating layer is adjusted, and the heat insulating property (heat radiation amount) of the vacuum heat insulating layer is changed according to the environmental temperature.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-17464 (paragraphs 0021-0032, FIG. 1, etc.) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-199497

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, a vacuum heat insulating layer must be formed around the battery pack using a vacuum heat insulating container, and the vacuum heat insulating layer needs to be filled with gas and adsorbent. For this reason, the configuration becomes complicated, and a gas filling device, a cooling device, a heating device, and the like are required, and the gas tightness must be ensured. Therefore, there are problems in terms of manufacturing and cost, and in particular, since it becomes a large-scale device, it is difficult to increase the efficiency of the battery pack arrangement space.

  Furthermore, since the heat radiation of Patent Document 1 is a gas mediated to the last, the heat radiation performance is limited, and sufficient cooling of the battery pack cannot be realized.

  In addition, heat dissipation from the battery pack to the outside of the battery pack is adjusted by changing the heat insulating capacity of the vacuum heat insulating layer, but it is not possible to suppress variations in temperature distribution for each battery, and the temperature between each battery Deterioration of the battery pack due to distribution variation cannot be reduced.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device that has a simplified configuration and can suppress an excessive temperature rise and temperature drop of a power supply body.

  The present invention provides a power source body, a case for housing the power source body and a cooling liquid used for cooling the power source body, and a coolant housing means that contacts the case and the heat transfer member and houses the cooling liquid therein. And a driving means for moving the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid storage means into the case and moving the cooling liquid in the case into the cooling liquid storage means.

  The driving unit moves the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid storage unit to the case, and forms a gas layer in a region on the heat transfer member side of the power supply body in the cooling liquid storage unit. The first state to be operated and the second state in which the coolant in the case is moved to the coolant storing means with respect to the first state and the region is filled with the coolant. .

  The drive means is connected to the pump for moving the coolant, a first flow path connected to the pump and allowing the coolant to move between the case and the coolant accommodating means, and the pump. And a second flow path for circulating the coolant in the case.

  In addition, it is preferable to comprise so that the said pump may be arrange | positioned in the said case.

  In addition, the power supply apparatus includes a control unit that controls the drive of the drive unit, and the control unit controls the drive of the drive unit based on information on the temperature of the power supply body and the heat transfer member. Can be configured.

  Further, the control means can be configured to control the driving means so as to circulate the coolant in the case via the second flow path.

  The power supply device further includes a second coolant storing means that contacts a non-contact portion around the case that is not in contact with the heat transfer member, and stores coolant therein, and the driving means includes a second A third state in which the coolant in the coolant storing means is moved to the case to form a gas layer between the power source body and the non-contact portion; and the third state The cooling liquid in the case can be moved to the second cooling liquid storage means so as to operate between a fourth state in which the area is filled with the cooling liquid.

  In this case, the drive means may be configured to further include a third flow path that is connected to the pump and allows the movement of the coolant between the case and the second coolant storage means.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can suppress that the temperature of a power supply body rises or falls excessively with environmental temperature with the simplified structure.

  That is, even if the heat transfer member is excessively cooled or heated by the surrounding environment, the coolant can be moved from the coolant accommodating means to the case, for example, a gas layer can be formed in the coolant accommodating means, Heat transfer between the transmission member and the coolant can be suppressed. For this reason, it can suppress that the power supply body in a case is cooled or heated excessively. In addition, when the power source body generates heat, the cooling liquid is moved from the case to the cooling liquid storage means to fill the cooling liquid in the region where the gas layer is formed, thereby radiating heat (cooling) through the cooling liquid. It can be performed.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

Example 1
As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply device (secondary battery) 1 of the present invention houses a battery unit 2 and a battery unit 2, and a case 30 that contains a coolant 4 used for cooling the battery unit 2. The cooling liquid storage tank (cooling liquid storage means) 50 located between the case 30 and the vehicle body F and disposed in contact with the case 30 and the vehicle body F, and the cooling liquid 4 in the cooling liquid storage tank 50 And a driving means 60 for moving the coolant 4 in the case 30 into the coolant storage tank 50.

  The battery unit 2 includes an assembled battery (power supply body) 20 composed of a plurality of unit cells 20a, and a not-shown holding member (end plate) for holding the assembled battery 20 from both ends. The unit cells 20a constituting the assembled battery 20 are electrically connected in series or in parallel by a bus bar (not shown). Note that positive and negative electrodes (not shown) are connected to the assembled battery 20, and these wires pass through the case 30 and are connected to an external electronic device (for example, a motor). Has been.

  In this embodiment, a cylindrical secondary battery is used as the single battery 20a. Secondary batteries include nickel-hydrogen batteries and lithium ion batteries. The shape of the unit cell 20a is not limited to the cylindrical shape, and may be other shapes such as a square shape. In this embodiment, a secondary battery is used, but an electric double layer capacitor (capacitor) or a fuel cell can be used instead of the secondary battery. Here, the secondary battery or the like serves as a power source for the electronic device described above.

  The case 30 includes a lower case 31 and an upper case 32, and the lower case 31 is formed with an accommodation space S <b> 1 for accommodating the battery unit 2 together with the coolant 4. A plurality of heat radiation fins for improving the heat dissipation of the battery unit 2 may be formed on the outer surface (circumferential side surface) of the lower case 31.

  The upper case 32 covers the accommodation space S1 of the lower case 31 from above, and is fixed to the lower case 31 with screws or the like. The lower case 31 and the upper case 32 form an accommodation space S1 for accommodating the battery unit 2 as a sealed space.

  And the cooling fluid 4 accommodated in accommodation space S1 in case 30 does not satisfy | fill all the said accommodation spaces S1, and the cell 20a located in the uppermost stage of the battery unit 2 is shown in FIG. An amount of the cooling liquid 4 to be immersed in the cooling liquid 4 is filled. That is, the upper surface of the unit cell 20a located at the uppermost stage of the battery unit 2 and the liquid surface of the cooling liquid 4 are at the same position, or the amount of the cooling liquid filled with the liquid surface of the cooling liquid 4 above the upper surface is filled. Then, while the entire battery unit 2 is immersed in the coolant 4, an unfilled area TS of the coolant 4 is provided in the accommodation space S 1, and the coolant 4 is not in contact with the upper case 32.

  Here, the lower case 31 and the upper case 32 may be formed of a material having excellent heat transfer properties, corrosion resistance, and the like, for example, a material having a heat transfer rate equal to or higher than the heat transfer rate of the coolant 4. it can. Specifically, these cases can be formed of metal (copper, iron, aluminum metal, etc.). Further, as the cooling liquid 4, insulating oil or inert liquid can be used. Silicon oil is used as the insulating oil. As the inert liquid, fluorinate, Novec HFE (hydrofluoroether), and Novec 1230 (manufactured by 3M), which are fluorine-based inert liquids, can be used.

  The case 30 of the present embodiment configured as described above has a bolt or the like attached to a vehicle body body (heat transfer member) F such as a floor panel or a vehicle frame via a cooling liquid storage tank 50 filled with the cooling liquid 4 therein. It is fixed by.

  The cooling liquid storage tank 50 includes a storage space S2 that stores the same cooling liquid 4 as the cooling liquid 4 filled in the case 30, is located between the case 30 and the vehicle body F, and is disposed between the case 30 and the vehicle body F. Placed in contact. More specifically, the coolant storage tank 50 is disposed below the lower case 31 constituting the case 30, in contact with the lower surface of the lower case 31 and in contact with the vehicle body F.

  In the present embodiment, the case 30 and the cooling liquid storage tank 50 are configured separately, but for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the case 30 and the cooling liquid storage tank 50 are integrally formed. It is also possible. That is, in the lower case 31 constituting the case 30, the storage space S1 that stores the battery unit 2 and the coolant 4 and the storage space S1 that is in contact with the storage space S1 and in contact with the vehicle main body F are cooled. By providing the partition wall 33 for forming the storage space S2 for storing the coolant 4 as the liquid storage tank 50, the case 30 and the coolant storage tank 50 can be integrally formed. By integrally forming in this way, as described later, it is possible to easily take measures against sealing such as leakage of the coolant 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the driving means 60 is provided in the pump P for moving the coolant 4, the first to third flow paths O1, O2, and O3, the second flow path O2, and the third flow path O3. And is arranged at the bottom of a lower case 31 in a case 30 (accommodating space S1) in which the battery unit 2 is accommodated.

  The second flow path O2 is a flow path for moving the cooling liquid 4 in the cooling liquid storage tank 50 into the case 30 and for moving the cooling liquid 4 in the case 30 to the cooling liquid storage tank 50. The inlet / outlet is configured to be disposed in the coolant storage tank 30. In the present embodiment, the piping that forms the second flow path O <b> 2 passes through the bottom of the lower case 31 and the upper part of the cooling liquid storage tank 50, and is disposed in the storage space S <b> 2 of the cooling liquid storage tank 50. Note that a conventional seal mechanism (seal material) is applied to the arrangement of the second flow path O2.

  The cooling liquid 4 in the cooling liquid storage tank 50 (storage space S2) flows through the second flow path O2 and flows through the first flow path O1 or the third flow path O3 by the pump driving force of the pump P. Then, it moves to the case 30 (accommodating space S1), and conversely, the coolant 4 in the case 30 flows through the first flow path O1 or the third flow path O3 and flows through the second flow path O2. Move to the cooling liquid storage tank 50 (the flow allowing the movement of the cooling liquid 4 between the case 30 and the cooling liquid storage tank 50 by the first flow path O1 or the third flow path O3 and the second flow path O2. A road is formed).

  The third flow path O3 is a flow path for circulating the coolant 4 with the second flow path O2 as described above, and the coolant 4 in the case 30 (accommodating space S1) is passed through the case 30. In order to circulate in this case, it functions as a circulation path for discharging the coolant 4 taken in from the first flow path O1 into the case 30. That is, the first and third flow paths O1 and O3 form a flow path for moving the coolant 4 between the coolant storing tank 50 and stirring the coolant 4 in the case 30. Therefore, the driving means 60 of the present embodiment performs the movement of the cooling liquid 4 between the cooling liquid storage tank 50 and the case 30 and the stirring of the cooling liquid 4 in the case 30.

  As described above, the third flow path O3 discharges the cooling liquid 4 taken in from the first flow path O1 into the case 30 and is used for stirring the cooling liquid 4 in the case 30. The outlet is arranged below the battery unit 2, and as shown in FIG. 5, the inlet / outlet thereof is arranged and formed so that the coolant 4 is stirred along the inner wall surface of the case 30. It is preferable. For this reason, the drive means 60 of the present embodiment is disposed inside the case 30 (accommodating space S1) and at the bottom of the lower case 31 (the corner of the bottom surface of the lower case 31). In this stirring operation, the coolant 4 can be taken from the third flow path O3 and discharged from the first flow path O1.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the power supply device 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above is provided, for example, in a vehicle body F below a vehicle seat (passenger seat, driver seat, rear seat). The figure shows an example in which the power supply device 1 of this embodiment is applied to a passenger seat 10 of a vehicle. The passenger seat 10 has a seat portion 12 and a backrest portion 13, and a headrest 14 is detachably attached to the upper end of the backrest portion 13. A pair of seat rails 15 facing the vehicle width direction are provided in the lower region of the seat portion 12 so as to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction. The seat rail 15 is fixed to a lower rail 15a fixed on the vehicle body (heat transfer member) F, and fixed to the lower surface of the seat portion 12, and is slidably disposed in the longitudinal direction with respect to the lower rail 15a. It is comprised from the upper rail 15b guided to. The seat rail 15 makes it possible to adjust the position of the passenger seat 10 in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The power supply device according to this embodiment is disposed on the vehicle main body F between the pair of seat rails 15 via the coolant storage tank 50.

  Next, heat dissipation and heat insulation of the power supply device 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  When the temperature of the power supply device 1 (battery unit 2) rises or falls excessively due to the environmental temperature, the power supply device 1 according to the present embodiment transfers heat from the vehicle main body F to the power supply device 1 and the vehicle main body F. The heat transfer to is controlled by forming a gas heat insulating layer in the cooling liquid storage tank 50.

  In the power supply device 1 of the present embodiment, the heat generated in the battery unit 2 is radiated through the coolant 4 and the case 30, and the heat is transferred to the vehicle body F to be radiated, thereby radiating (cooling) the power supply device 1. It is carried out. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a case where the power supply device 1 is radiating heat through the vehicle main body F. FIG.

  In the state of FIG. 1 (A), for example, if the vehicle body F is suddenly overheated as the temperature rises in summer, the heat dissipation from the power supply device 1 through the vehicle body F decreases, and in particular, the temperature of the vehicle body F increases. When the temperature of the battery unit 2 (coolant 4) is high, heat is transferred from the vehicle body F to the battery unit 2 via the coolant 4 stored in the coolant storage tank 50, and the battery unit 2 The temperature state exceeds the appropriate temperature range of the battery unit 2 for the characteristics.

  Therefore, the driving means 60 of the present embodiment moves the cooling liquid 4 in the cooling liquid storage tank 50 into the case 30, and between the cooling liquid storage tank 50 and the case 30, in other words, in the cooling liquid storage tank 50. Among them, a gas layer AS is formed in a region on the vehicle main body F (heat transfer member) side with respect to the battery unit 2 (see FIG. 1B, first state). At this time, the liquid level of the cooling liquid 4 in the case 30 rises by the amount of the cooling liquid 4 that has moved from the cooling liquid storage tank 50 (the liquid level increases by height H1).

  FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a state in which the cooling liquid 4 in the cooling liquid storage tank 50 is moved into the case 30, and the cooling liquid 4 in the cooling liquid storage tank 50 is in the cooling liquid storage tank 50. It is not in contact with the surface on the case 30 side. For this reason, even if the heat from the vehicle main body F is transmitted to the coolant 4, the gas layer AS whose thermal conductivity is extremely lower than that of the coolant 4 functions as a heat insulating layer, and the vehicle main body F with respect to the battery unit 2. It becomes difficult for the heat from the heat to be transferred. The thickness H2 of the heat insulation layer AS of the gas is such that the coolant 4 in the coolant storage tank 50 is formed integrally with the surface on the case 30 side of the coolant storage tank 50 (the case 30 and the coolant storage tank 50 are integrally formed. In such a case (see FIG. 6), the thickness may be such that it does not contact the partition wall 33). For example, the cooling liquid 4 is moved from the cooling liquid storage tank 50 into the case 30 by the driving means 60 so that a gas layer AS of about 5 mm is formed.

  Therefore, in the state of FIG. 1 (B), the gas layer (heat insulating layer) AS formed in the coolant storage tank 50 blocks heat transfer from the vehicle body F to the battery unit 2. Further, for example, when the vehicle body F is rapidly cooled with a decrease in temperature in winter, heat transfer from the battery unit 2 to the vehicle body F is promoted, and the heat of the battery unit 2 is excessively taken away. . Even in this case, it is outside the proper temperature range of the battery unit 2 capable of obtaining suitable battery characteristics. Specifically, factors such as a decrease in power generation / charging efficiency of the battery unit 2 due to a decrease in temperature, a deterioration in battery performance, etc. It becomes. However, even in such a case, the heat transfer from the battery unit 2 to the vehicle body F is blocked by the gas layer AS by changing the state of FIG. 1A to the state of FIG. 1B. The battery unit 2 is not excessively cooled.

  Next, in the state shown in FIG. 1B, in an environment where the temperature of the vehicle body F is not excessively increased or decreased, the battery unit 2 is radiated through the vehicle body F, It is necessary to maintain the cooling efficiency of the apparatus 1 suitably. For this reason, in order to dissipate heat of the power supply device 1 through the vehicle body F, the cooling liquid 4 in the case 30 is moved into the cooling liquid storage tank 50 by the driving means 60 from the state of FIG. The gas layer AS formed in the cooling liquid storage tank 50 is filled with the cooling liquid 4 (second state).

  FIG. 1C shows a state in which the cooling liquid 4 has moved from the state of FIG. 1B to the cooling liquid storage tank 50 and the cooling liquid storage tank 50 is filled with the cooling liquid 4. In other words, the state is the same as in FIG. 1A, and the coolant 4 in the coolant storage tank 50 is in contact with the surface of the coolant storage tank 50 on the case 30 side. For this reason, heat transfer (heat radiation) from the battery unit 2 to the vehicle body F via the coolant 4 is performed.

  Thus, the case 30 and the vehicle body F are moved by moving the coolant 4 from the case 30 to the coolant storage tank 50 by the driving means so as to fill the gas layer AS formed in the coolant storage tank 50. The gas layer as the heat insulation layer AS disappears, the coolant 4 in the coolant storage tank 50 comes into contact with the case 30, the heat insulation between the case 30 and the vehicle body F is released, and the vehicle is removed from the battery unit 2. Heat transfer (heat radiation) to the main body F can be suitably performed.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the driving unit 60 is configured to stir the coolant 4 in the case 30 for cooling the battery unit 2. That is, in order to suitably perform heat dissipation of the battery unit 2 in the state of FIG. 1C (or FIG. 1A), the driving unit 60 takes in the coolant 4 from the first flow path O1, A circulation path for discharging the flow path O3 into the case 30 is formed. For this reason, the coolant 4 in the case 30 is agitated, and variations in the temperature distribution of the plurality of single cells 20a constituting the battery unit 2 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the performance deterioration of the battery unit 2 due to the temperature distribution variation.

  Next, a control method of the power supply device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  The power supply apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit for the driving unit 60. The control unit is installed in the controller 100 and the vehicle body F as the control unit for the driving unit 60, and detects the temperature of the vehicle body F. 1 temperature sensor 103, a second temperature sensor 104 that detects the temperature of the battery unit 2 (or case 30, coolant 4) of the power supply device 1, and a pump that drives the driving means 60 in accordance with an instruction from the controller 100. A drive circuit 101 and a valve drive circuit 102 for driving the valve B of the drive means 60 according to an instruction from the controller 100 are provided.

  The controller 100 detects the temperatures of the battery unit 2 and the vehicle main body F using the first and second temperature sensors 103 and 104, and performs drive control of the drive unit 60 based on the detected temperature information. .

  As shown in FIG. 4, the controller 100 detects the temperatures of the battery unit 2 and the vehicle body F based on the outputs of the temperature sensors 103 and 104 (step S1). It is determined whether or not the detected temperature of the battery unit 2 is higher than the upper threshold value (step S2). If the detected temperature of the battery unit 2 is higher than the upper threshold value, the process proceeds to step S3. If it is lower than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S6.

  Here, the upper threshold value of the present embodiment is an upper threshold temperature in the appropriate temperature range of the battery unit 2 set in advance from the viewpoint of suppressing the deterioration of the battery characteristics accompanying the temperature increase of the battery unit 2, for example, 60 It can be set to ° C.

  Next, in step S3, the controller 100 compares the detected temperature of the battery unit 2 with the detected temperature of the vehicle body F because the detected temperature of the battery unit 2 is higher than the upper threshold value. If the detected temperature of the battery unit 2 is lower than the detected temperature of the vehicle body F, the process proceeds to step S4, and if higher, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S4, the controller 100 drives the pump P and the valve B via the pump drive circuit 101 and the valve drive circuit 102 to obtain the state (first state) shown in FIG.

  More specifically, the controller 100 closes the valve B of the third flow path O3 and opens the valve B of the second flow path O2 via the valve drive circuit 102. Further, the controller 100 drives the pump P so as to move the coolant 4 in the coolant storage tank 50 into the case 30 via the pump drive circuit 101, and the second flow path O2 to the first flow path O1. The cooling fluid 4 is circulated to. Here, the controller 100 moves a predetermined amount of the coolant 4 from the coolant reservoir tank 50 into the case 30 so that the gas layer AS is formed in the coolant reservoir tank 50.

  Then, the controller 100 moves the predetermined amount of the cooling liquid 4 from the cooling liquid storage tank 50 into the case 30 so that the gas layer AS is formed in the cooling liquid storage tank 50, and then the second flow path O2. The valve drive circuit 102 is instructed to close the valve B (first state in FIG. 1B).

  In step S5, the controller 100 drives the pump P via the pump drive circuit 101 and the valve drive circuit 102, and drives the valve B of the second flow path O2 to open, so that FIG. ) (Second state). At this time, the controller 100 is based on the output of a liquid level sensor (not shown) that detects the liquid level of the cooling liquid 4 in the cooling liquid storage tank 50 or the liquid level of the cooling liquid 4 in the case 30. Is the state shown in FIG. 1 (A) or the state shown in FIG. 1 (C), and in step 5, the state shown in FIG. In this case, this state is maintained without driving the driving means 60, and in the state (first state) shown in FIG. 1B, the pump P is connected via the pump driving circuit 101 and the valve driving circuit 102. And at the same time, the valve B of the second flow path O2 is driven to open, and the state shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, in step S6, it is determined whether or not the detected temperature of the battery unit 2 is lower than the lower threshold value. Here, when the detected temperature of the battery unit 2 is lower than the lower threshold value, the process proceeds to step S7, and when it is higher, the process proceeds to step S5.

  Here, the lower threshold value described above is a lower threshold temperature in the appropriate temperature range of the battery unit 2 set in advance from the viewpoint of suppressing deterioration of the battery characteristics accompanying the temperature drop of the battery unit 2, and is, for example, 0 ° C. Can be set.

  In step S7, it is determined whether or not the detected temperature of the battery unit 2 is higher than the detected temperature of the vehicle main body F. If the detected temperature of the battery unit 2 is higher than the detected temperature of the vehicle main body F, the process goes to step S4. If yes, go to step S5.

  When the cell 20 a generates heat due to charging / discharging in the cell 20 a, this heat is transmitted to the case 30 via the coolant 4. Then, the heat transmitted to the case 30 is released to the outside (in the atmosphere). The heat dissipation path is a path that is transmitted to a gas such as air around the case 30 to dissipate heat, and a path that is transmitted from the case 30 to the vehicle body F via the coolant 4 in the coolant storage tank 50 and dissipated. Even when the power supply device 1 receives heat from the outside, the route follows this route in reverse.

  In the state shown in FIG. 1A, the heat generated in the battery unit 2 can be released (heat radiation) by the heat dissipation path via the vehicle body F described above, and the temperature rise of the battery unit 2 can be suppressed. it can. Thereby, it can suppress that the battery characteristic of the cell 20a deteriorates with a temperature rise.

  As described above, in the state shown in FIG. 1A, when the vehicle main body F is excessively cooled, the coolant storage tank 50 in contact with the vehicle main body F is cooled and the internal cooling is performed. When the liquid 4 is cooled, the battery unit 2 is excessively cooled. Thereby, the battery characteristics of the single battery 20a may deteriorate. Further, in the state shown in FIG. 1A, when the vehicle main body 40 is excessively heated, the cooling liquid storage tank 50 in contact with the vehicle main body F is heated and the internal cooling liquid 4 is heated. As a result, the battery unit 2 is excessively heated. Thereby, the battery characteristics of the single battery 20a may deteriorate.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when the detected temperature of the battery unit 2 is higher than the upper threshold and the detected temperature of the vehicle body F is higher than the detected temperature of the battery unit 2, or the detected temperature of the battery unit 2 is lower than the lower threshold. When the detected temperature of the vehicle main body F is low and lower than the detected temperature of the battery unit 2, the driving means 60 is driven to move the coolant 4 in the coolant storage tank 50 to the case 30 to store the coolant. A gas layer AS is formed on the surface side of the tank 50 in contact with the case 30. For this reason, the coolant 4 does not come into contact with the surface of the coolant storage tank 50 that contacts the case 30, so that heat transfer between the battery unit 2 and the vehicle body F is difficult.

  In the present embodiment, the driving means 60 stirs the cooling liquid 4 in the case 30 and suppresses variations in the temperature distribution of the battery unit 2 (cooling liquid 4).

  That is, if the temperature of the coolant 4 in the case 30 varies, the temperature of each unit cell 20a constituting the battery unit 2 varies, resulting in a difference in performance degradation due to the temperature difference between the unit cells 20a. The performance of the entire unit 2 is deteriorated. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the coolant 4 is taken in from the first flow path O1 of the driving means 60, and a circulation path for discharging the coolant 4 into the case 30 from the third flow path O3 is formed. 4 is agitated to suppress variations in the temperature distribution of the battery unit 2 (coolant 4).

  Specifically, when the coolant 4 (battery unit 2) is between the lower threshold temperature (for example, 0 ° C.) and the upper threshold temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) in the appropriate temperature range, the driving means is always provided. The cooling liquid 4 in the case 30 can be controlled to be agitated by 60. Further, temperature sensors (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the cooling liquid 4 in the case 30 are provided on the liquid surface side (upper side) of the cooling liquid 4 and the lower side of the battery unit 2, respectively. The temperature difference between the upper side and the lower side of 4 is detected. This temperature difference is monitored by the controller 100. For example, when the temperature difference is 2 ° C. or more, the controller 100 drives the pump P via the pump drive circuit 101 and also via the valve drive circuit 102. It is also possible to open the valve B of the third flow path O3 so that the coolant 4 is taken in from the first flow path O1 and discharged from the third flow path O3 into the case 30.

  In addition, the stirring of the coolant 4 in the case 30 by the driving means 60 causes heat transfer from the vehicle main body F to the power supply device 1 and heat transfer to the vehicle main body F to insulate the coolant into the coolant storage tank 50. It can be done independently and in parallel with the control of forming the layer AS.

  For example, when the detected temperature of the battery unit 2 is higher than the upper threshold value in step S2 of FIG. 4, control is performed so that the coolant 4 in the case 30 is automatically stirred by the driving means 60, and Even in the state of FIG. 1B, the cooling liquid 4 in the case 30 may be controlled to be stirred. Further, when the detected temperature of the battery unit 2 is lower than the lower threshold value, it is preferable not to perform stirring by the driving unit 60. This is because the heat of the battery unit 2 is further deprived by the stirring action, and it is not possible to maintain suitable battery characteristics in an appropriate temperature range.

  As described above, the driving means 60 of this embodiment moves the coolant 4 between the case 30 and the coolant storage tank 50 and agitates the coolant 4 in the case 30. In other words, when a pump or the like for stirring the coolant 4 is provided in the case 30, a flow path that allows the pump to move the coolant 4 between the case 30 and the coolant storage tank 50 ( By providing the first flow path O1 or the third flow path O3 and the second flow path O2 (using a cooling liquid agitation pump), the power supply device according to this embodiment can be easily provided. And can be realized at low cost.

(Example 2)
In the power supply device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the coolant storage tank 50 according to the first embodiment is arranged on the non-contact portion around the case that does not contact the vehicle body F, that is, on the side surface of the case 30. In the following description, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof is omitted, and the parts different from the first embodiment are described.

  As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the case 30a of this embodiment has a double storage space by the partition wall 31a provided in the lower case 31, and the battery unit 2 and the cooling unit are cooled. There is a storage space S1 in which the liquid 4 is stored, and a storage space S3 that is formed so as to surround the storage space S1 and in which the cooling liquid 4 is stored. That is, as shown in FIG. 7B, the cooling liquid 4 does not mix directly with the inside of the case 30a and the cooling liquid 4 becomes independent around the storage space S1 by the partition wall 31a in the top view of the power supply device 1. Are arranged.

  The side wall of the lower case 31 and the partition wall 31a form a cooling liquid storage means (second cooling liquid storage means) corresponding to the cooling liquid storage tank 50 of the first embodiment. Arranged in contact with the air around the power supply device 1 (non-contact area around the case not in contact with the vehicle main body F) and in contact with the housing space S1 of the case 30 without being in contact with the vehicle main body F as a transmission member. Has been. Note that, similarly to the first embodiment, the coolant storing means of the present embodiment can also be provided independently of the case 30.

  FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the driving means 60a of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the coolant 4 is moved between the storage space S3 and the storage space S1 in the case 30a. A fourth flow path O4 is provided. For this reason, the coolant 4 in the storage space S1 and the storage space S3 can move through the fourth flow path O4 and the first flow path O1 (or the second flow path O3). The cooling liquid storage means of this embodiment is not in contact with the cooling liquid storage tank 50 and has an independent configuration. For example, the storage space S2 of the cooling liquid storage tank 50 and the cooling liquid of this embodiment You may comprise so that storage space S3 of a storage means may be provided adjacent so that it may contact.

  In the state shown in FIG. 7A, for example, in the state of FIG. 7A, the air outside the power supply device 1 and in contact with the case 30a is suddenly overheated as the temperature rises, or the temperature drops in the winter. When rapidly cooling, as described above, the battery unit 2 is in a temperature state exceeding the appropriate temperature range of the battery unit 2 with respect to the battery characteristics.

  Therefore, the driving means 60a of the present embodiment moves the cooling liquid 4 in the cooling liquid storage means having the storage space S3 into the case 30a, and in other words, between the storage space S1 and the air outside the case 30a. Then, a gas layer AS is formed around the battery unit 2 (see FIG. 7C, third state). At this time, the liquid level of the cooling liquid 4 in the case 30a increases by the amount of the cooling liquid 4 moved from the cooling liquid storage tank 50 and the cooling liquid 4 moved from the cooling liquid storage means of the present embodiment. (The liquid level rises by height H3).

  FIG. 7C shows a state in which the cooling liquid 4 in the cooling liquid storage tank 50 is moved into the case 30a and the cooling liquid 4 in the cooling liquid storage means of the present embodiment is moved into the case 30a. FIG. As described above, the gas layer AS (heat insulation layer) formed by the coolant storing means of the present embodiment blocks heat transfer with the air outside the power supply device 1 and is formed by the coolant storing tank 50. The gas layer AS (heat insulation layer) blocks heat transfer from the vehicle main body F to the battery unit 2. That is, the entire periphery of the battery unit 2 is surrounded by a gas layer together with the unfilled region TS in the accommodation space S1 of the case 30a. For example, when the vehicle body F is rapidly cooled with a decrease in temperature in winter, the battery Heat transfer from the unit 2 to the vehicle main body F and the air outside the power supply device 1 is promoted, so that the heat of the battery unit 2 is not excessively deprived, and the vehicle main body F is heated suddenly as the temperature rises in summer. Thus, heat is not transmitted to the battery unit 2 from the vehicle body F and the air outside the power supply device 1 and excessively supplied to the battery unit 2.

  As in the first embodiment, the controller 100 controls the driving means 60a from the state shown in FIG. 7C to the state shown in FIG. 7A, and the pump driving circuit 101 and the valve driving circuit 102 are controlled. 6 and driving the valve B of the third flow path O3 to open (with or without allowing the coolant 4 to flow into the second flow path O2). The state (fourth state) shown in FIG.

  Moreover, the 2nd cooling fluid accommodating means of a present Example can also be applied to the radiation fin provided in the outer peripheral surface of the case 30 of the said Example 1. FIG. That is, the heat dissipating fins provided on the outer peripheral surface of the case 30 are formed hollow to provide a space in which the coolant 4 can be filled. The driving unit 60 can move the coolant 4 into the case 30 and the coolant 4 in the case 30 can be moved into the case. Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

It is a figure which shows sectional drawing of the power supply device in Example 1 of this invention, and is a figure for demonstrating heat dissipation and heat insulation. It is a block diagram of the drive means in Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the control unit in Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart figure for demonstrating the control flow of the power supply device in Example 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the mode of stirring of the cooling fluid in the case in Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of the power supply device in Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows sectional drawing of the power supply device in Example 2 of this invention, and is a figure for demonstrating heat dissipation and heat insulation. It is a block diagram of the drive means in Example 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view for demonstrating arrangement | positioning structure when the power supply device of this invention is arrange | positioned under the seat in a vehicle.

Explanation of symbols

2 Battery unit 4 Coolant 30 Case 50 Coolant storage tank 60 Drive means P Pump B Valve F Vehicle body (heat transfer member)

Claims (9)

A power supply,
A case for containing the power source and a coolant used for cooling the power source; and
A coolant accommodating means that contacts the case and the heat transfer member and accommodates the coolant therein;
Driving means for moving the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid storage means into the case and moving the cooling liquid in the case into the cooling liquid storage means;
The driving means moves the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid storage means to the case, and forms a gas layer in a region on the heat transfer member side with respect to the power supply body in the cooling liquid storage means. Operating between the first state and the second state in which the coolant in the case is moved to the coolant storing means with respect to the first state and the region is filled with the coolant. A featured power supply. The driving means includes
A pump that moves the coolant,
A first flow path connected to the pump and allowing movement of the cooling liquid between the case and the cooling liquid storage means;
The power supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second flow path connected to the pump for circulating the coolant in the case.   The power supply device according to claim 2, wherein the pump is disposed in the case.   The power supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls driving of the driving unit.   The power supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls driving of the driving unit based on information on temperatures of the power supply body and the heat transfer member.   The power supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit controls the driving unit to circulate the coolant in the case through the second flow path. A second coolant storing means for contacting the non-contact portion around the case that does not contact the heat transfer member and storing the coolant therein;
The driving means moves the cooling liquid in the second cooling liquid storage means to the case, and forms a gas layer between the power supply body and the surroundings; and The operation in the fourth state in which the coolant in the case is moved to the second coolant storage means with respect to the state of 3 and the region is filled with the coolant is performed. The power supply device according to any one of 1 to 6.   The said drive means is further connected to the said pump, It further has the 3rd flow path which accept | permits the movement of the cooling fluid between the said case and the said 2nd cooling fluid storage means, The Claim 7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Power supply.   The power supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heat transfer member is a vehicle main body.

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