JP2022139475A - battery pack - Google Patents

Abstract

To cool down a power storage module and a circuit board by a cooling mechanism.SOLUTION: A battery pack 1 comprises a housing 400, a circuit board 500, and a cooling mechanism 600. The housing 400 houses a power storage module 10. The circuit board 500 is electrically connected with the power storage module 10 while being separated from it and is contacted with the housing 400. The cooling mechanism 600 is in contact with the power storage module 10 while interposing a part of the housing 400.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present technology relates to battery packs.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-12389 (Patent Document 1) is a prior document that discloses the configuration of a power supply device. A power supply device described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of capacitor rows including capacitors, a circuit board, and a storage case. The plurality of capacitor strings includes a first capacitor string adjacent to the circuit board and a second capacitor string adjacent to the first capacitor string. The circuit board implements circuitry for controlling charging and discharging of the capacitor string. The storage case includes a partition wall, a cooling air passage, and an air passage opening. A partition wall is provided between the circuit board and the first capacitor row. A cooling air passage is provided between the first battery row and the second battery row. The air passage opening has an opening that communicates with the cooling air passage. The electricity storage device is cooled by exchanging heat between the cooling air introduced into the cooling air passage from the air passage opening and the electricity storage device.

JP 2016-12389 A

In the power supply device described in Patent Document 1, the partition wall is formed so as to surround the periphery of the circuit board. Therefore, when the circuit board generates heat, the circuit board cannot be cooled by the cooling mechanism.

An object of the present technology is to provide a battery pack capable of cooling an electric storage module and a circuit board by a cooling mechanism.

A battery pack based on the present technology includes a housing, a circuit board, and a cooling mechanism. The housing accommodates the power storage module. The circuit board is electrically connected to the power storage module while being spaced apart, and is in contact with the housing. The cooling mechanism is in contact with the power storage module with a portion of the housing interposed therebetween.

According to the present technology, the power storage module and the circuit board can be cooled by the cooling mechanism.

1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a power storage module provided in a battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of the present technology; FIG. It is a perspective view showing composition of a storage cell with which a battery pack concerning Embodiment 1 of this art is provided. It is a sectional view showing composition of a battery pack concerning Embodiment 1 of this art. It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a battery pack according to Embodiment 2 of the present technology. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a battery pack according to Embodiment 3 of the present technology; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a battery pack according to Embodiment 4 of the present technology;

Embodiments of the present technology will be described below. In some cases, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

In the embodiments described below, when referring to the number, amount, etc., the scope of the present technology is not necessarily limited to the number, amount, etc., unless otherwise specified. Also, in the following embodiments, each component is not necessarily essential for the present technology unless otherwise specified.

In this specification, the descriptions of "comprise," "include," and "have" are open-ended. That is, when a certain configuration is included, other configurations may or may not be included. In addition, the present technology is not necessarily limited to one that exhibits all of the effects referred to in the present embodiment.

As used herein, "battery" is not limited to lithium-ion batteries, but may include other batteries such as nickel-metal hydride batteries. As used herein, "electrode" may collectively refer to positive and negative electrodes. Also, the term "electrode plate" may collectively refer to a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate.

In this specification, the terms "storage cells" or "storage modules" are not limited to battery cells or battery modules, but may include capacitor cells or capacitor modules.

In the drawings, the longitudinal direction of the storage cells is the X-axis direction, the direction in which the storage cells are stacked in the storage module is the Y-axis direction, and the exterior body in which the electrode terminals of the storage cells are arranged is orthogonal to the stacking direction of the storage cells. The direction orthogonal to the plane of is defined as the Z-axis direction.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a power storage module included in a battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of the present technology. As shown in FIG. 1 , a power storage module 10 as an assembled battery includes power storage cells 100 , end plates 200 , and binding members 300 .

The power storage module 10 is stacked such that a plurality of power storage cells 100 are aligned in the Y-axis direction (arrangement direction). A separator (not shown) is interposed between the storage cells 100 . A plurality of storage cells 100 sandwiched between the two end plates 200 are pressed by the end plates 200 and constrained between the two end plates 200 .

The end plates 200 are arranged at both ends of the power storage module 10 in the Y-axis direction. A binding member 300 connects the two end plates 200 to each other. The restraining member 300 is fastened to the end plate 200 by a known fastening method such as bolt fastening.

By engaging the restraining member 300 with the end plate 200 while applying a compressive force in the Y-axis direction to the stacked plurality of storage cells 100 and the end plate 200, and then releasing the compressive force, 2 A tensile force acts on the binding member 300 connecting the two end plates 200 . As a reaction thereto, the restraining member 300 presses the two end plates 200 in a direction to bring them closer together.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a storage cell included in the battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of the present technology. As shown in FIG. 2 , the storage cell 100 includes an electrode terminal 110 , an exterior body 120 and a gas exhaust valve 130 .

Electrode terminal 110 includes a positive terminal 111 and a negative terminal 112 . The electrode terminal 110 is formed on the exterior body 120 . The exterior body 120 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The exterior body 120 accommodates an electrode body and an electrolytic solution (not shown). The gas exhaust valve 130 breaks when the pressure inside the housing 120 exceeds a predetermined value. As a result, the gas inside the exterior body 120 is discharged to the outside of the exterior body 120 .

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of the present technology. As shown in FIG. 3 , battery pack 1 includes power storage module 10 , housing 400 , circuit board 500 , and cooling mechanism 600 . Battery pack 1 in the present embodiment further includes bracket 410 , case 510 and wiring 520 .

The housing 400 accommodates the power storage module 10 . Housing 400 includes bottom portion 401 , side portion 402 and top portion 403 . Housing 400 is made of, for example, aluminum or iron. Note that the housing 400 is not limited to aluminum or iron, and may be made of resin or the like having high thermal conductivity.

The bracket 410 is a plate-like member having an L-shape when viewed from the X-axis direction. The bracket 410 is arranged adjacent to the power storage module 10 in at least one of the stacking directions (Y-axis direction) of the plurality of power storage cells 100 . In the present embodiment, a pair of brackets 410 are arranged adjacent to both ends of power storage module 10 in the Y-axis direction. One bracket 410a is arranged on one side surface portion 402 side of the power storage module 10 in the Y-axis direction. The other bracket 410b is arranged on the side opposite to the side surface portion 402 side of the power storage module 10 in the Y-axis direction.

Electricity storage module 10 is fixed to housing 400 via bracket 410 . Specifically, one side portion of the bracket 410 extending in the Z-axis direction when viewed from the X-axis direction is fixed to the power storage module 10, and extends in the Y-axis direction when viewed from the X-axis direction. By fixing the other side portion to bottom surface portion 401 , power storage module 10 is fixed to housing 400 via bracket 410 . Power storage module 10 and bracket 410, and housing 400 and bracket 410 are fastened together by a known fastening method such as bolt fastening.

The circuit board 500 is electrically connected to the power storage module 10 while being spaced apart. Circuit board 500 in the present embodiment is electrically connected to power storage module 10 by wiring 520 . The circuit board 500 can be electrically connected to an external device via a connector (not shown).

The circuit board 500 is in contact with the housing 400 . Specifically, the circuit board 500 is arranged inside the housing 400 and is in contact with the side surface portion 402 . The circuit board 500 faces the power storage module 10 with one bracket 410a interposed therebetween in the stacking direction (Y-axis direction) of the plurality of power storage cells 100 .

Circuit board 500 is housed in case 510 . The case 510 is fastened inside the side portion 402 by a known fastening method such as bolt fastening.

Cooling mechanism 600 is in contact with power storage module 10 with a portion of housing 400 interposed therebetween. Cooling mechanism 600 in the present embodiment is provided on the surface of bottom surface portion 401 opposite to the power storage module 10 side.

Cooling mechanism 600 has a cooling function by, for example, cooling water flowing inside cooling mechanism 600 . The housing 400 is cooled by the cooling mechanism 600 being in contact with the housing 400 . The housing 400 serves as a heat transfer path for cooling other components in contact with the housing 400 . Thereby, cooling mechanism 600 can cool power storage module 10 and circuit board 500 through housing 400 .

Shortest distance L1 between cooling mechanism 600 and power storage module 10 is shorter than shortest distance L2 between cooling mechanism 600 and circuit board 500 . As a result, power storage module 10 , which generates more heat than circuit board 500 , can be efficiently cooled by cooling mechanism 600 . Cooling mechanism 600 in the present embodiment is arranged adjacent to bottom surface portion 401 , but shortest distance L1 between cooling mechanism 600 and power storage module 10 is shorter than shortest distance L2 between cooling mechanism 600 and circuit board 500 . For example, it may be located adjacent to the side portion 402 or the top portion 403 .

In battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment, circuit board 500 is in contact with housing 400 while being separated from power storage module 10 accommodated in housing 400, and cooling mechanism 600 sandwiches a portion of housing 400. , the power storage module 10 and the circuit board 500 can be cooled by the cooling mechanism 600 through the housing 400 .

In battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment, shortest distance L1 between cooling mechanism 600 and power storage module 10 is shorter than shortest distance L2 between cooling mechanism 600 and circuit board 500. It is possible to efficiently cool the power storage module 10 that generates a large amount of heat.

In battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment, power storage module 10 is fixed to housing 400 via bracket 410 , so that housing 400 and bracket 410 each connect cooling mechanism 600 and power storage module 10 . Since the heat transfer path can be formed between the power storage modules 10, the power storage module 10 can be efficiently cooled.

In the battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment, the circuit board 500 is arranged inside the housing 400, and in the stacking direction (Y-axis direction) of the plurality of storage cells 100, the bracket 410 is sandwiched between them. By facing the module 10, the circuit board 500 can be arranged in the space left by installing the bracket 410, so that the mounting efficiency of the constituent members inside the battery pack 1 can be improved. As a result, the battery pack 1 can be miniaturized.

(Embodiment 2)
A battery pack according to Embodiment 2 of the present technology will be described below. Since the battery pack 1A according to Embodiment 2 of the present technology differs from the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present technology in the configuration of the housing and the cooling mechanism, the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present technology The description of the configuration similar to is not repeated.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a battery pack according to Embodiment 2 of the present technology. As shown in FIG. 4, battery pack 1A includes power storage module 10, housing 400A, bracket 410, circuit board 500, and cooling mechanism 600A.

The housing 400A accommodates the power storage module 10 . Power storage module 10 is fixed to housing 400A via bracket 410 .

The circuit board 500 is in contact with the housing 400A. Specifically, the circuit board 500 is arranged inside the housing 400A and is in contact with the side surface portion 402 .

The cooling mechanism 600A is in contact with the power storage module 10 with a portion of the housing 400A interposed therebetween. Cooling mechanism 600A in the present embodiment is formed inside bottom surface portion 401A of housing 400A. The cooling mechanism 600A includes a cooling pipe 610 passing through the inside of the bottom portion 401A in the Y-axis direction.

The cooling water 20 can flow inside the cooling mechanism 600A. The cooling mechanism 600</b>A has a cooling function by allowing the cooling water 20 to flow through the inside of the cooling pipe 610 . Housing 400A is cooled by contact of cooling pipe 610 with housing 400A. The housing 400A serves as a heat transfer path for cooling other components in contact with the housing 400A. Thereby, the cooling mechanism 600A can cool the power storage module 10 and the circuit board 500 through the housing 400A. Cooling mechanism 600A in the present embodiment has a configuration in which cooling water 20 flows through cooling pipe 610, but may have a configuration in which cooling water 20 flows through a through hole formed in housing 400A.

In battery pack 1A according to the present embodiment, cooling pipe 610 through which cooling water 20 flows is provided inside bottom surface portion 401A of housing 400A, thereby shortening the heat transfer path from cooling mechanism 600 through housing 400A. As a result, the cooling efficiency of power storage module 10 and circuit board 500 by cooling mechanism 600A can be enhanced.

(Embodiment 3)
A battery pack according to Embodiment 3 of the present technology will be described below. A battery pack 1B according to Embodiment 3 of the present technology differs from the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present technology in the configuration of the circuit board. Certain configurations will not be repeated.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a battery pack according to Embodiment 3 of the present technology. As shown in FIG. 5 , battery pack 1B includes power storage module 10 , housing 400B, bracket 410 , circuit board 500B, case 510B, wiring 520B, and cooling mechanism 600 .

The housing 400B accommodates the power storage module 10 . Power storage module 10 is fixed to housing 400B via bracket 410 .

The circuit board 500B is electrically connected to the power storage module 10 while being spaced apart. Circuit board 500B in the present embodiment is electrically connected to power storage module 10 by wiring 520B. The circuit board 500B can be electrically connected to an external device.

The circuit board 500B is in contact with the housing 400B. Circuit board 500B in the present embodiment is arranged outside housing 400B and is in contact with side surface portion 402B. The circuit board 500B is housed in a case 510B. Case 510B is fastened to the outside of side portion 402B by a known fastening method such as bolt fastening. Power storage module 10 positioned inside housing 400B and circuit board 500B positioned outside housing 400B are electrically connected to each other by wiring 520B passing through side surface portion 402B.

Cooling mechanism 600 is in contact with power storage module 10 with a portion of housing 400B interposed therebetween. Cooling mechanism 600 in the present embodiment is provided on the surface of bottom surface portion 401 opposite to the power storage module 10 side.

In battery pack 1B according to the present embodiment, by disposing circuit board 500B outside housing 400B, circuit board 500B can be cooled by radiating heat to the outside. 400B, the circuit board 500B can be efficiently cooled.

(Embodiment 4)
A battery pack according to Embodiment 4 of the present technology will be described below. A battery pack 1C according to Embodiment 4 of the present technology differs from the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present technology in the configuration of the circuit board. Certain configurations will not be repeated.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a battery pack according to Embodiment 4 of the present technology. As shown in FIG. 6 , battery pack 1C includes power storage module 10 , housing 400 , circuit board 500C, case 510C, wiring 520C, and cooling mechanism 600 .

The circuit board 500C is electrically connected to the power storage module 10 while being spaced apart. Circuit board 500C in the present embodiment is electrically connected to power storage module 10 by wiring 520C. The circuit board 500C can be electrically connected to an external device via a connector (not shown).

The circuit board 500C is in contact with the housing 400. As shown in FIG. Specifically, the circuit board 500</b>C is arranged inside the housing 400 and is in contact with the upper surface portion 403 . The circuit board 500C faces the power storage module 10 in the Z-axis direction.

The circuit board 500C is housed in a case 510C. The case 510C is fastened to the lower side of the upper surface portion 403 by a known fastening method such as bolt fastening.

The housing 400 is cooled by the cooling mechanism 600 being in contact with the housing 400 . The housing 400 serves as a heat transfer path for cooling other components in contact with the housing 400 . Thereby, the cooling mechanism 600 can cool the power storage module 10 and the circuit board 500</b>C through the housing 400 .

In battery pack 1C according to the present embodiment, circuit board 500C is arranged inside housing 400 and faces power storage module 10 in the Z-axis direction. The occupied area of 500C can be reduced. As a result, the battery pack 1C can be miniaturized.

Although the embodiments of the present technology have been described above, the embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as examples and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present technology is indicated by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalence to the scope of the claims.

Reference Signs List 1, 1A, 1B, 1C Battery pack 10 Storage module 20 Cooling water 100 Storage cell 110 Electrode terminal 111 Positive electrode terminal 112 Negative electrode terminal 120 Exterior body 130 Gas exhaust valve 200 End plate 300 Restraining member , 400, 400A, 400B housing 401, 401A bottom surface 402, 402B side surface 403 top surface 410, 410a, 410b bracket 500, 500B, 500C circuit board 510, 510B, 510C case 520, 520B , 520C wiring, 600, 600A cooling mechanism, 610 cooling pipe.

Claims (6)

a housing that houses the power storage module;
a circuit board electrically connected to the power storage module while being spaced apart and in contact with the housing;
and a cooling mechanism in contact with the power storage module with a part of the housing interposed therebetween. The cooling mechanism is formed inside the bottom of the housing,
2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein cooling water can flow inside said cooling mechanism. 3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the shortest distance between said cooling mechanism and said power storage module is shorter than the shortest distance between said cooling mechanism and said circuit board. The power storage module includes a plurality of stacked power storage cells, and is fixed to the housing via a bracket arranged adjacent to the power storage module in at least one of the stacking directions of the plurality of power storage cells. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the circuit board is arranged outside the housing. 5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein said circuit board is arranged inside said housing and faces said power storage module with said bracket interposed therebetween in said stacking direction.

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