WO2012124479A1 - Battery temperature adjustment device - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a battery temperature adjustment device provided with a thermoelectric conversion module, a thermally conductive member, a first heat medium duct, and a second heat medium duct. The thermoelectric conversion module has a pair of surfaces. The thermally conductive member is provided to one of the pair of surfaces. The thermally conductive member is disposed within the first heat medium duct. The second heat medium duct is positioned downstream of the first heat medium duct, and a battery is disposed therewithin. The duct cross sectional area of the first heat medium duct is less than the duct cross sectional area of the second heat medium duct.

Description

Battery temperature control device

The present invention relates to a battery temperature control device.

The storage battery temperature control device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a thermoelectric conversion device such as a thermoelectric module or a thermoelectric element chip having the same characteristics as the thermoelectric module. The thermoelectric conversion device has a first surface and a second surface, and the first surface and the second surface have opposite actions according to the polarity of energization, that is, heat dissipation and heat absorption. The first surface is thermally coupled to one or more storage batteries, and the second surface is thermally coupled to a thermal action promoting medium that promotes the thermal action of the surface.

JP 2003-7356 A

By the way, there is a need to further improve the efficiency of heat exchange.

An object of the present invention is to provide a battery temperature control device that can improve the heat exchange efficiency between the heat transfer member and the heat transfer medium arranged on the upstream side of the battery in the flow path of the heat transfer medium.

In order to achieve the above object, in one embodiment of the present invention, a battery temperature control apparatus including a thermoelectric conversion module, a heat conducting member, a first heat medium flow path, and a second heat medium flow path is provided. The thermoelectric conversion module has a pair of surfaces. The heat conducting member is provided on one of the pair of surfaces. The heat conducting member is disposed inside the first heat medium flow path. The second heat medium flow path is located on the downstream side of the first heat medium flow path, and the battery is disposed inside. The channel cross-sectional area of the first heat medium channel is smaller than the channel cross-sectional area of the second heat medium channel.

According to the above configuration, the heat conduction member provided on one of the pair of surfaces of the thermoelectric conversion module in the first heat medium flow path is disposed inside, and heat exchange is performed between the heat medium and the heat conduction member. Is called. The second heat medium flow path communicates with the downstream side of the first heat medium flow path, the battery is disposed inside, and heat exchange is performed between the heat medium and the battery.

Here, since the channel cross-sectional area of the first heat medium channel is smaller than the channel cross-sectional area of the second heat medium channel, the first heat medium arranged on the upstream side of the battery in the channel of the heat medium. The flow velocity increases in the flow path. Therefore, it is possible to improve the heat exchange efficiency between the heat conducting member arranged in the first heat medium flow path and the heat medium.

Preferably, the flow path cross-sectional area of the first heat medium flow path is a cross-sectional area of a region where the heat medium flows in the first heat medium flow path, and the flow path cross-sectional area of the second heat medium flow path is the first heat medium flow path. 2 is a cross-sectional area of a region where the heat medium flows in the heat medium flow path.

According to the above configuration, the channel cross-sectional area that is the cross-sectional area of the region through which the heat medium flows in the first heat medium channel is the cross-sectional area of the channel through which the heat medium flows in the second heat medium channel. Smaller than. As a result, the flow velocity is increased in the first heat medium flow path disposed on the upstream side of the battery in the heat medium flow path. Therefore, the heat exchange efficiency between the first fin and the heat medium can be improved.

Preferably, the heat conducting member is a fin.

According to the above configuration, since the heat conducting member is a fin, the heat transfer area can be increased.

The perspective view of the battery temperature control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The side view of the battery temperature control apparatus of FIG. The perspective view which shows the structure of the Peltier module of FIG. The front view for demonstrating the flow-path cross-sectional area in the battery temperature control apparatus of FIG. The perspective view of the battery temperature control apparatus of another example. The perspective view of the battery temperature control apparatus of another example. The side view of the battery temperature control apparatus of another example. The perspective view of the battery temperature control apparatus of another example. The perspective view of the battery temperature control apparatus of another example. The front view for demonstrating typically the battery temperature control apparatus of another example. Sectional drawing for demonstrating typically the battery temperature control apparatus of another example.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a vehicle (automobile) equipped with a traveling battery will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the drawing, the horizontal plane is defined by the X and Y directions orthogonal to each other, and the vertical direction is defined by the Z direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery temperature adjustment device 10 includes a Peltier module 20 as a thermoelectric conversion module and a battery module 30. The Peltier module 20 and the battery module 30 are arranged side by side in the Y direction. The Y direction is the direction in which the heat medium (air) for cooling or heating the cylindrical battery 32 of the battery module 30 flows, and the battery module 30 is disposed downstream of the Peltier module 20 in the air flowing direction.

The Peltier module 20 includes a Peltier element 22 as a thermoelectric conversion element and ceramic plates 23 and 24 shown in FIG. Inside the case 21, a Peltier element 22, ceramic plates 23 and 24, and aluminum fins 25 and 26 as heat conducting members are arranged.

A ceramic plate 23 is disposed on the first surface (upper surface) of the Peltier element 22, and the Peltier element 22 and the ceramic plate 23 are thermally coupled. First fins 25 are provided on the upper surface of the ceramic plate 23. That is, the first fin 25 is provided on one surface of the pair of surfaces of the Peltier module 20. The first fin 25 includes a plurality of rectangular plates. The plurality of plates are arranged in parallel with each other with a certain distance therebetween. The ceramic plate 23 and the first fin 25 are thermally coupled. The first fin 25 is disposed in the first heat medium flow path 40 defined by the case 21, and the first fin 25 extends so that air passes through the flow path between the adjacent first fins 25. Heat is exchanged by sending air in the installation direction (Y direction in FIG. 1). In other words, the first fin 25 is cooled or heated as the Peltier element 22 is energized, and the air as the heat medium is cooled or heated and sent to the battery module 30 downstream.

The ceramic plate 24 is disposed on the second surface (lower surface) of the Peltier element 22, that is, the surface opposite to the first surface, and the Peltier element 22 and the ceramic plate 24 are thermally coupled. Second fins 26 are provided on the lower surface of the ceramic plate 24. The second fin 26 includes a plurality of rectangular plates. The plurality of plates are arranged in parallel in a state of being spaced apart by a certain distance. The ceramic plate 24 and the second fin 26 are thermally coupled. A flow path is formed in the second fin 26, and heat is exchanged by sending air in the extending direction of the plate (X direction in FIG. 1). That is, as the Peltier element 22 is energized, the second fins 26 are heated or cooled, and the air as the heating medium is heated or cooled and sent downstream.

The air blowing direction to the first fin 25 (Y direction in FIG. 1) and the air blowing direction to the second fin 26 (X direction in FIG. 1) are orthogonal to each other. That is, the two heating media (for example, two airs) are in a crossing flow. Two heat media, for example, two airs are sent to the Peltier module 20 by a fan.

When a current along the first direction is passed through the Peltier element 22, the ceramic plate 23 and the first fin 25 become heat absorbing members, and the ceramic plate 24 and the second fin 26 become heat generating members. With this energization, the air as the heat medium passing through the first fin 25 is cooled and sent to the battery module 30 downstream. That is, one air is sent to the battery module 30 as air for cooling the battery via the first fins 25, and the other air cools the fins (fins to be heated) 26.

On the other hand, when a current along a second direction opposite to the first direction is passed through the Peltier element 22, the ceramic plate 23 and the first fin 25 become heat generating members, and the ceramic plate 24 and the second fin 26 become It becomes an endothermic member. With this energization, air as a heat medium passing through the first fin 25 is heated and sent to the downstream battery module 30.

In this manner, the fins 25 and 26 are provided in the Peltier module 20 (Peltier element 22), and heat exchange is performed between the heat medium (air) passing through the fins 25 and 26 and the fins 25 and 26.

The case 31 of the battery module 30 in FIG. 1 has a square box shape. Openings are formed in the side walls of the case 31 that face each other so that air passes through the second refrigerant flow path 41 formed inside the case 31. A plurality of cylindrical batteries 32 are fixed upright in the case 31 (see FIG. 4). The batteries 32 are arranged so as to be arranged at intervals along the air flow direction (Y direction) and the width direction of the case 31 (X direction). Air flows between the cylindrical batteries 32 inside the case 31. Air (cold air or hot air) that has passed through the first fins 25 is supplied into the case 31 along the Y direction in FIG. 1, and the cylindrical battery 32 is cooled or cooled by this air (cold air or hot air). Heated.

Thus, heat exchange is performed between the heating medium (air) that has passed through the first fins 25 and the cylindrical battery 32 in the battery module 30.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first fins 25 are arranged in the first heat medium flow path 40. The second heat medium flow path 41 is located on the downstream side of the first heat medium flow path 40, and the battery 32 is disposed in the second heat medium flow path 41. As the heat medium passes through the first heat medium flow path 40, heat exchange is performed between the first fins 25 and the heat medium. As the heat medium passes through the second heat medium flow path 41, heat exchange is performed between the battery 32 and the heat medium. The flow path cross-sectional area S1 of the first heat medium flow path 40 is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area S2 of the second heat medium flow path 41. Thereby, heat exchange with the 1st fin 25 provided in Peltier module 20 and a heat carrier (air) is performed efficiently. The “flow passage cross-sectional area S1 of the first heat medium flow path 40” means the cross-sectional area of the region through which the heat medium flows in the first heat medium flow path 40. Specifically, the case 21 and the ceramic plate 23 is a cross-sectional area of a region defined by 23 and the plurality of fins 25. The “flow passage cross-sectional area S2 of the second heat medium flow passage 41” means the cross-sectional area of the region through which the heat medium flows in the second heat medium flow passage 41, and specifically, by the case 31 and the battery 32. 5 is a cross-sectional area of a defined area (in FIG. 4, a cross-sectional area of the remaining area excluding an area occupied by the battery 32 from the entire internal area of the case 31).

In addition, the design of the length, shape, pitch, etc. of the fins 25 and 26 provided on one surface (heat absorbing surface) and the other surface (heat radiating surface) of the Peltier element 22 is free. In the present embodiment, the heat transfer area of the second fin 26 is larger than the heat transfer area of the first fin 25.

Next, the operation of the battery temperature control apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described.

First, the case where the cylindrical battery 32 of the battery module 30 is cooled will be described.

In the Peltier module 20, the Peltier element 22 is energized. As the Peltier element 22 is energized, the first fin 25 is cooled and the second fin 26 is heated.

Air is sent to the Peltier module 20 along the Y direction in FIG. Then, heat exchange is performed between the air and the first fin 25, and the air is cooled and sent to the battery module 30 on the downstream side.

Further, air is sent to the Peltier module 20 along the X direction in FIG. And heat exchange is performed between the air and the 2nd fin 26, and the air which became high temperature passes. That is, on the high temperature side, the second fins 26 are cooled by air.

The air cooled using the Peltier module 20 flows between the cylindrical batteries 32 in the battery module 30 and exchanges heat with the cylindrical batteries 32 to cool the cylindrical batteries 32. That is, the cylindrical battery 32 is cooled by the air cooled by using the Peltier module 20.

Here, the flow path cross-sectional area S1 of the first heat medium flow path 40 is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area S2 of the second heat medium flow path 41. Thereby, the flow rate of the heat medium in the flow path of the first fin 25 provided in the Peltier module 20 becomes larger (faster) than the flow speed of the flow path of the battery 32 in the battery module 30. As a result, heat exchange between the first fin 25 and the heat medium (air) is efficiently performed.

Next, the case where the cylindrical battery 32 of the battery module 30 is heated will be described.

In the Peltier module 20, the Peltier element 22 is energized in the reverse direction. As the Peltier element 22 is energized, the first fin 25 is heated and the second fin 26 is cooled.

Air is sent to the Peltier module 20 along the Y direction in FIG. Then, heat exchange is performed between the air and the first fin 25, and the air is heated and sent to the battery module 30 on the downstream side.

Further, air is sent to the Peltier module 20 along the X direction in FIG. Then, heat exchange is performed between the air and the second fins 26, and the air having a low temperature passes through the Peltier module 20.

The air heated using the Peltier module 20 flows between the cylindrical batteries 32 in the battery module 30 and exchanges heat with the cylindrical batteries 32 to heat the cylindrical batteries 32.

Here, the flow path cross-sectional area S1 of the first heat medium flow path 40 is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area S2 of the second heat medium flow path 41. Thereby, the flow rate of the heat medium in the flow path of the first fin 25 provided in the Peltier module 20 becomes larger (faster) than the flow speed of the flow path of the battery 32 in the battery module 30. As a result, heat exchange between the first fin 25 and the heat medium (air) is efficiently performed.

In heat exchange between the first fin 25 and the heat medium, a large amount of heat can be exchanged by increasing the contact area between the first fin 25 and the heat medium or by increasing the flow rate of the heat medium. . In this embodiment, the fins can be shortened by increasing the flow rate of the heat medium, and the apparatus can be downsized.

explain in detail. The first fin 25 is joined to the ceramic plate 23. A location near the base end of the first fin 25 in the standing direction (Z direction) of the first fin 25 (near the joint with the ceramic plate 23) mainly takes up heat absorption or heat generation. Even if the length of the fin is increased and the contact area with the heat medium is increased, the portion that contributes to heat absorption or heat generation is closer to the base end of the fin, so that there are more useless portions. As a result, the apparatus becomes large. However, by adopting a configuration that increases the flow velocity as in this embodiment, the fins can be shortened and the apparatus can be downsized.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following advantages can be obtained.

(1) The battery temperature control apparatus 10 includes a Peltier module 20 having a pair of surfaces, a first fin 25 provided on one of the pair of surfaces, and a first fin 25 in which the first fin 25 is disposed. 1 heat medium flow path 40, and the 2nd heat medium flow path 41 which is located in the downstream of the 1st heat medium flow path 40 and in which the battery 32 is arrange | positioned is provided. In the first heat medium flow path 40, the flow path cross-sectional area that is the cross-sectional area of the region through which the heat medium flows is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area that is the cross-sectional area of the region in which the heat medium flows in the second heat medium flow path 41. Thereby, in the 1st heat-medium flow path 40 distribute | arranged to the upstream of the battery 32 in the flow path of a heat medium, a flow velocity becomes quick. Therefore, the heat exchange efficiency between the first fin 25 and the heat medium can be improved.

(2) Since the heat conducting member is a fin, the heat transfer area can be increased.

(3) Since the Peltier module and the battery module are separate, they are easy to mix. Also, various combinations of Peltier modules and battery modules can be made.

The embodiment is not limited to the above, and may be embodied as follows, for example.

The shape of the Peltier module 20 is arbitrary. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the Peltier module 20 may be made smaller than the Peltier module 20 of FIG. Thereby, the flow channel area can be further reduced (for example, half).

The direction and position of the flow path are arbitrary. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the air passing through the first fin 25 on the lower side with the vertical positions of the fins 25 and 26 reversed from the vertical positions of the fins 25 and 26 in FIG. May be supplied. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the directions of the flow paths of the fins 25 and 26 may be the same. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the refrigerant may flow only in the Y direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the directions of the flow paths of the fins 25 and 26 may be crossed.

In the above embodiment, the Peltier module and the battery module are separated, but as shown in FIG. 9, the Peltier module and the battery module may be integrated. That is, a battery, a Peltier element, a fin, and the like may be housed in the common case 50. In this way, the number of parts can be reduced by using the integrated type.

As shown in FIG. 10 corresponding to FIG. 4, the flow path 41 may be partitioned by partition plates 60 and 61. As a result, the heat medium can be passed through a part of the flow path 41.

The present invention may be implemented as shown in FIG. That is, the Peltier module (Peltier element) 82 may be disposed around the inlet pipe 81 of the case 80 that houses the battery 32, and the fin 83 may be disposed in the inlet pipe 81.

The battery to be temperature controlled may be a single battery or a modular battery.

The temperature-controlled battery is not limited to a cylindrical battery, and may be a square battery, for example.

Thermoelectric conversion elements may be other than Peltier elements.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is embodied in a vehicle equipped with a battery for traveling. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be embodied in a battery temperature control device for home use.

Claims (3)

A thermoelectric conversion module having a pair of surfaces;
A heat conducting member provided on one of the pair of surfaces;
A first heat medium flow path in which the heat conducting member is disposed;
A second heat medium flow path that is located downstream of the first heat medium flow path and in which the battery is disposed;
With
A battery temperature control device in which a flow path cross-sectional area of the first heat medium flow path is smaller than a flow path cross-sectional area of the second heat medium flow path. The cross-sectional area of the first heat medium flow path is the cross-sectional area of the region through which the heat medium flows in the first heat medium flow path, and the flow cross-sectional area of the second heat medium flow path is the second heat medium. The battery temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the battery temperature control device is a cross-sectional area of a region where the heat medium flows in the flow path. The battery temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the heat conducting member is a fin.

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