JP6966306B2 - Temperature sensor accommodation structure and battery pack - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an accommodating structure of a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of a cylindrical battery, and a battery pack utilizing the accommodating structure.

Conventionally, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of a battery has been proposed for the purpose of preventing overcharging and overdischarging of a battery mounted on a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, or the like. This type of temperature sensor is generally mounted so as to be in close contact with the surface of a plurality of battery cells constituting the battery, and monitors the temperature of the battery cells (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-17638

In the conventional temperature sensor described above, the surface of the metal heat transfer plate (temperature measurement surface) is pressed and contacted with the surface of the square battery cell, and the temperature measurement element (thermistor or the like) provided near the heat transfer plate is provided. ) Is configured to indirectly measure the temperature of the battery cell. Further, in this conventional temperature sensor, the temperature measuring surface has a planar shape in order to increase the contact area between the surface of the square battery cell and the surface of the heat transfer plate.

By the way, for various reasons, a battery may be configured by using a cylindrical battery cell (cylindrical battery) instead of the square battery cell. In this case, if the above-mentioned conventional temperature sensor is used as it is, the contact area between the planar temperature measuring surface of the heat transfer plate and the outer peripheral curved surface of the cylindrical battery cell is naturally applied to the square battery cell. It is smaller than the contact area at the time. Due to such a small contact area, the conventional temperature sensor described above may not be able to properly measure the temperature of the cylindrical battery cell.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an accommodating structure of a temperature sensor capable of appropriately measuring the temperature of a cylindrical battery, and a battery pack using the accommodating structure. There is.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the "temperature sensor accommodating structure" according to the present invention is characterized by the following (1) to (4).
(1)
A temperature sensor with a temperature measuring surface curved to correspond to the shape of the outer peripheral curved surface of the cylindrical battery,
An accommodating portion for accommodating the temperature sensor, an opening provided in a wall body constituting the accommodating portion so that the temperature measuring surface and the outer peripheral curved surface can be brought into contact with each other, and the contact at the time of the abutting. A sensor accommodating body having a convex portion protruding from the wall body toward a space sandwiched between the cylindrical battery and the temperature sensor.
Must have a temperature sensor accommodation structure.
(2)
In the temperature sensor accommodating structure described in (1) above,
The sensor housing is
The convex portion has an extension portion extending from the peripheral edge of the opening along the outer peripheral curved surface of the cylindrical battery.
Must have a temperature sensor accommodation structure.
(3)
In the temperature sensor accommodating structure according to the above (1) or (2).
The temperature sensor
A state in which the temperature measuring surface is pressed in a direction of abutting against the outer peripheral curved surface of the cylindrical battery is accommodated in the accommodating portion of the sensor accommodating body.
Must have a temperature sensor accommodation structure.
(4)
In the temperature sensor accommodating structure according to any one of (1) to (3) above,
The temperature sensor
A heat transfer body having a first heat transfer plate constituting the temperature measuring surface and a pair of second heat transfer plates extending from both ends of the first heat transfer plate in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral curved surface.
A temperature measuring element arranged so as to be surrounded by the first heat transfer plate and the pair of second heat transfer plates.
It has an insulator provided between the temperature measuring element and the heat transfer body.
Must have a temperature sensor accommodation structure.

According to the accommodation structure of the temperature sensor having the configuration of (1) above, the temperature measuring surface of the temperature sensor has a curved shape corresponding to the shape of the outer peripheral curved surface of the cylindrical battery, so that the temperature sensor has a curved shape like a conventional temperature sensor. Compared with the case where the temperature measuring surface has a planar shape, the contact area between the temperature measuring surface and the outer peripheral curved surface of the cylindrical battery can be expanded. Due to the expansion of the contact area in this way, the accommodation structure of the temperature sensor of this configuration can appropriately measure the temperature of the cylindrical battery.

Further, in a state where the temperature measuring surface of the temperature sensor is in contact with the outer peripheral curved surface of the cylindrical battery, a convex portion from the wall body of the sensor housing toward the space sandwiched between the cylindrical battery and the temperature sensor. The sensor housing is configured so that With this configuration, the pressure loss when the fluid passes through the space between the cylindrical battery and the sensor housing is larger than that in the case where there is no convex portion. Therefore, for example, even if cooling air for cooling a cylindrical battery that heats up during operation can flow into the space, the space is increased by the amount of pressure loss as compared with the case where there is no convex portion. The amount of cooling air flowing into the air will be reduced. By suppressing unintended cooling of the temperature measuring surface or the like by reducing the inflow amount of the cooling air, the temperature measuring accuracy by the temperature sensor can be improved as compared with the case where there is no convex portion.

Therefore, the accommodation structure of the temperature sensor of this configuration can appropriately measure the temperature of the cylindrical battery.

According to the accommodation structure of the temperature sensor having the configuration of (2) above, the temperature sensor is extended at the inflow port (the peripheral edge of the opening) when the cooling air flows into the space sandwiched between the cylindrical battery and the temperature sensor. The flow path through which the cooling air moves can be lengthened by the length of the extension of the protruding part (convex part). By lengthening the flow path in this way, the pressure loss at the inflow port can be increased. Therefore, the inflow amount of the cooling air can be reduced more efficiently than in the case where the convex portion is provided at a portion different from the portion corresponding to the inflow port. In addition to the convex portion (extending portion), the sensor accommodating body may have a convex portion provided at another portion.

According to the accommodation structure of the temperature sensor having the configuration of (3) above, the temperature measuring surface of the temperature sensor is pressed against the outer peripheral curved surface of the cylindrical battery, so that the temperature measuring surface and the outer peripheral curved surface are pressed during actual temperature measurement. Can be more reliably maintained in contact with each other. Even if the space between the temperature sensor and the sensor housing (the space where the cooling air can flow in) expands due to a mechanism or the like for realizing such pressing, the sensor housing is provided. Since the inflow of the cooling air can be suppressed by the convex portion, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the temperature measurement accuracy of the temperature sensor.

According to the accommodation structure of the temperature sensor having the configuration of (4) above, the temperature measuring element is arranged so as to be surrounded by the first heat transfer plate and the second heat transfer plate. Therefore, the heat transferred from the surface of the cylindrical battery to the temperature measuring surface of the first heat transfer plate can be transferred from multiple directions so as to wrap the temperature measuring element through the first heat transfer plate and the second heat transfer plate. Therefore, the temperature of the cylindrical battery can be measured more accurately than when the heat transferred from the cylindrical battery is transferred to the temperature measuring element from one direction.

Further, an insulator is provided between the temperature measuring element and the heat transfer body. Therefore, even when a highly conductive material (for example, metal) is used as the heat transfer body, the cylindrical battery and the temperature measuring element can be reliably insulated from each other. This insulation can prevent the temperature measuring element from failing due to an electrical short circuit between the cylindrical battery and the temperature measuring element.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the "battery pack" according to the present invention is characterized by the following (5).
(5)
A battery pack including a cylindrical battery, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the cylindrical battery, and a sensor accommodating body for accommodating the temperature sensor.
The temperature sensor and the sensor accommodating body
The accommodation structure according to any one of the above (1) to (4) is configured.
Must be a battery pack.

According to the battery pack having the configuration of (5) above, since the temperature measuring surface of the temperature sensor has a curved shape corresponding to the shape of the outer peripheral curved surface of the cylindrical battery, it has a planar shape like a conventional temperature sensor. The contact area between the temperature measuring surface and the outer peripheral curved surface of the cylindrical battery can be expanded as compared with the case where the temperature measuring surface is provided. Due to the expansion of the contact area in this way, the accommodation structure of the temperature sensor of this configuration can appropriately measure the temperature of the cylindrical battery.

Further, in a state where the temperature measuring surface of the temperature sensor is in contact with the outer peripheral curved surface of the cylindrical battery, a convex portion from the wall body of the sensor housing toward the space sandwiched between the cylindrical battery and the temperature sensor. The sensor housing is configured so that With this configuration, the pressure loss when the fluid passes through the space between the cylindrical battery and the sensor housing is larger than that in the case where there is no convex portion. Therefore, for example, even if cooling air for cooling a cylindrical battery that heats up during operation can flow into the space, the space is increased by the amount of pressure loss as compared with the case where there is no convex portion. The amount of cooling air flowing into the air will be reduced. By suppressing unintended cooling of the temperature measuring surface or the like by reducing the inflow amount of the cooling air, the temperature measuring accuracy by the temperature sensor can be improved as compared with the case where there is no convex portion.

Therefore, the battery pack having this configuration can appropriately measure the temperature of the cylindrical battery.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an accommodating structure of a temperature sensor capable of appropriately measuring the temperature of a cylindrical battery, and a battery pack using the accommodating structure.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through the embodiments described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings. ..

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a temperature sensor included in the accommodation structure of the temperature sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the temperature sensor. FIG. 3A is a side view of the temperature sensor, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a portion B of FIG. 3A. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the temperature sensor. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the AA cross section of FIG. 3A in the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the temperature measuring surface in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the action of the extension portion of the sensor accommodating body when the cooling air is blown from the outside of the battery cell to the cylindrical battery. FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 in the battery pack according to the comparative example.

<Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the temperature sensor accommodating structure and the battery pack using the accommodating structure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the present embodiment, the battery pack 5 is arranged so that the cylindrical battery 4 is arranged at a predetermined position after the accommodating structure 3 is configured by the temperature sensor 1 and the sensor accommodating body 2 accommodating the temperature sensor 1. It is configured (see FIG. 5). Hereinafter, the detailed structures of the temperature sensor 1, the sensor accommodating body 2, the accommodating structure 3, the cylindrical battery 4, and the battery pack 5 will be described in order.

First, the temperature sensor 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The temperature sensor 1 includes a sensor main body 10, a pressing body 20, a support wall 30, and a regulating portion 40. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 1, "front-back direction", "vertical direction", "width direction", "front", "rear", "top" and "bottom" are defined. The "front-back direction", "vertical direction", and "width direction" are orthogonal to each other. The width direction also corresponds to the "circumferential direction" of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, which is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the AA cross section of FIG. 3A, the sensor main body 10 includes a housing 11, a heat transfer body 12, and a temperature measuring element 13.

The housing 11 is made of resin and has a square cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction, as can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 5. The front end surface of the housing 11 is closed and the rear end surface is open. An electric wire 18 to be described later, which is connected to the temperature measuring element 13, extends from the opening on the rear end surface of the housing 11 (see FIG. 1).

The heat transfer body 12 is made of a highly conductive material (for example, metal). As can be understood from FIGS. 2 and 5, the heat transfer body 12 is erected upward from the first heat transfer plate 14 extending in the front-rear direction and both ends in the width direction of the first heat transfer plate 14 and in the front-rear direction. A pair of second heat transfer plates 15 extending in a flat plate shape are provided. The heat transfer body 12 is formed, for example, by bending one metal plate.

The lower surface of the first heat transfer plate 14 is a surface that functions as a temperature measuring surface 14a that comes into contact with the outer peripheral curved surface 4a (see FIG. 5) of the cylindrical battery 4. In order to increase the contact portion between the temperature measuring surface 14a and the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4, the temperature measuring surface 14a of the first heat transfer plate 14 has a cross-sectional shape (cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 5) orthogonal to the front-rear direction. It has an arcuate shape curved upward so as to correspond to the shape of the outer peripheral curved surface 4a. The radius of curvature of the temperature measuring surface 14a is basically a slightly smaller value than the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4, and is the same value within the tolerance range. By designing the radius of curvature of the temperature measuring surface 14a to such a value, the temperature measuring surface 14a is always in two-line contact with the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4 (or the radius of curvature of both within the range of the tolerance). When the values are the same, surface contact) can be performed. If the temperature measuring surface 14a and the outer peripheral curved surface 4a are designed to have the same radius of curvature, there is a possibility that they will make one-line contact within the tolerance range. In the case of 1-wire contact, the temperature measurement performance of the temperature sensor 1 may be lower than in the case of 2-wire contact. In order to avoid such one-line contact, the radius of curvature of the temperature measuring surface 14a is designed to be slightly smaller than the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral curved surface 4a as described above.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, the heat transfer body 12 is insert-molded and integrated into the housing 11. Specifically, the entire pair of second heat transfer plates 15 is embedded inside the pair of side walls of the housing 11 (see FIG. 5), and the entire first heat transfer plates 14 (temperature measuring surface 14a). Is exposed directly below the lower wall of the housing 11 (see FIG. 4).

As shown in FIG. 2, the temperature measuring element 13 is a thermistor element and is sealed with a resin 13a. A pair of lead wires 16 connected to the temperature measuring element 13 extend to the rear end of the resin-sealed temperature measuring element 13, and each of the pair of lead wires 16 is interposed via a crimping component 17. It is connected to the conductor portion of the pair of electric wires 18. The pair of electric wires 18 are connected to a temperature measuring device or a temperature measuring circuit board (not shown).

The temperature measuring element 13 is inserted through the opening on the rear end surface of the square cylindrical housing 11, and as shown in FIG. 5, the first heat transfer plate 14 and the pair of second heat transfer plates are inserted in the internal space of the housing 11. It is arranged so as to be surrounded by 15. The internal space of the housing 11 is filled with a potting resin material 19 around the temperature measuring element 13. The temperature measuring element 13 is fixed and protected in the housing 11 by the potting resin material 19.

Next, the support wall 30 will be described. In this example, the support wall 30 has a function of fixing the pressing body 20 (specifically, the fixed end of the cantilever-shaped pressing body 20).

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the support wall 30 includes a pair of support wall main bodies 31. The pair of support wall main bodies 31 integrally project outward in the width direction from the position near the front end to the vicinity of the center in the front-rear direction at the lower ends of the side walls of the square cylindrical housing 11, and form a flat plate in the front-rear direction. Extends to.

On the upper surface of the support wall main body 31, there are a locking portion 32 for locking and fixing the pressing body 20, and a stopper portion 33 for abutting the tip surface of the pressing body 20 behind the locking portion 32. It is formed. The locking portion 32 is formed with an insertion hole (through hole penetrating in the front-rear direction) for inserting the pressing body 20.

Next, the pressing body 20 will be described. The pressing body 20 is provided on each of the pair of support walls 30. The pair of pressing bodies 20 elastically press the temperature measuring surface 14a of the sensor body 10 downward (that is, the direction in which the temperature measuring surface 14a of the sensor body 10 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4). In other words, the pair of pressing bodies 20 have a function of generating a downward elastic force.

The pressing body 20 is composed of a leaf spring. In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, the pressing body 20 has a first portion 21 extending forward from one end of the leaf spring and a second portion 21 bent from the front end portion of the first portion 21 and extending diagonally upward and rearward. The portion 22, the third portion 23 that bends from the upper end of the second portion 22 and extends downward and diagonally backward, and the third portion 23 that bends from the lower end of the third portion 23 and bends upward and backward to the other end of the leaf spring. It is composed of a fourth portion 24 extending diagonally toward.

The first portion 21 is inserted into the insertion hole of the locking portion 32 of the support wall main body 31 from the front, and is supported in a state where the rear end (one end of the leaf spring) is abutted against the stopper portion 33 of the support wall main body 31. It is fixed to the wall body 31. The front end portion of the first portion 21 (the lower end portion of the second portion 22) functions as a fixed end 26 of the pressing body 20.

Further, the lower end portion of the third portion 23 (the lower end portion of the fourth portion 24) functions as a free end 27 of the pressing body 20. The upper end portion of the second portion 22 (the upper end portion of the third portion 23) is located above the upper wall of the housing 11, and is pressed against the upper wall 51 (see FIG. 5) of the sensor housing 2. It functions as the top 28 of the body 20. As described above, the pressing body 20 has a cantilever-like structure.

Next, the regulation unit 40 will be described. The regulating unit 40 has a function of limiting the movable range (movable range) of the free end 27 of the pressing body 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the regulating portion 40 is a box-shaped portion having an internal space (accommodation chamber), and is outward in the width direction from the rear end portions of the side walls of the square cylindrical housing 11. It is provided so as to protrude integrally.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, the front wall 41 of the regulating portion 40 extends diagonally along the extending direction of the third portion 23 of the pressing body 20. The front wall 41 is formed with a window (through hole) 42 that extends in the extending direction of the front wall 41 and communicates with the accommodation chamber of the regulation unit 40. Through the window 42, the fourth portion 24 (including the free end 27) of the pressing body 20 enters and is accommodated in the accommodating chamber of the regulating portion 40.

In the free state of the pressing body 20 (a state in which the elastic restoring force is not acting), as shown in FIG. 3, a pair of tops 28 are provided between the free end 27 and the lower wall surface of the window 42. A sufficient gap is secured according to the maximum elastic deformation amount of the pressing body 20 generated when the pressing body 20 is pressed against the upper wall 51.

Further, only a small gap is secured between the free end 27 and the upper wall surface 43 of the window 42 (see FIG. 3B). As a result, even when an excessive load (see the white arrow in FIG. 3B) is unintentionally applied to the pressing body 20, the free end 27 is placed on the upper wall surface 43 of the window 42. By abutting and restricting further upward movement, the pressing body 20 is prevented from being excessively deformed upward. In the free state of the pressing body 20, a gap may not be secured between the free end 27 and the upper wall surface 43 of the window 42 (that is, the free end 27 and the upper wall surface 43 of the window 42 come into contact with each other. May be).

Further, only a small gap is secured between the free end 27 and the wall surfaces on both sides in the width direction of the window 42. As a result, even when an excessive external force is unintentionally applied to the pressing body 20 in the width direction, the pressing body 20 is prevented from being excessively deformed in the width direction.

Next, the sensor housing 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The sensor accommodating body 2 has a wall body 50 made of resin. The wall body 50 includes an upper wall 51 extending in a flat plate shape in the front-rear direction, and a pair of side walls 52 hanging from both ends in the width direction of the upper wall 51 and extending in a flat plate shape in the front-rear direction.

The upper wall 51 and the pair of side walls 52 form (define) the accommodating portion 53 for accommodating the temperature sensor 1. An opening 54 located between the lower ends of the pair of side walls 52 is formed below the wall body 50. Through this opening 54, the temperature measuring surface 14a of the sensor body 10 and the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4 can come into contact with each other. The upper wall 51 is provided with one or more through holes 51a for weight reduction and the like. Similar through holes may be provided in the pair of side walls 52.

The wall body 50 further includes a pair of extension points 55 extending obliquely inward and upward in the width direction integrally from the lower ends of the pair of side walls 52 (that is, the peripheral edge of the opening 54). As shown in FIG. 5, in a state where the temperature measuring surface 14a of the temperature sensor 1 housed in the housing portion 53 and the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4 are in contact with each other (the battery pack 5 assembly is completed), a pair. The extension point 55 protrudes (extends) from the pair of side walls 52 toward the space 56 sandwiched between the temperature sensor 1 (more specifically, the pair of support wall main bodies 31) and the cylindrical battery 4. Moreover, it extends along the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4. The space 56 constitutes a part (lower region) of the accommodating portion 53.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the state where the temperature measuring surface 14a and the outer peripheral curved surface 4a are in contact with each other (the battery pack 5 assembly completed state), the outer peripheral curved surface 4a is caused by a manufacturing error of each component or the like. A gap S may occur between the surface and the pair of extension points 55.

The temperature sensor 1 and the sensor accommodating body 2 having the above configuration constitute a temperature sensor accommodating structure 3. The battery pack 5 is configured so that the cylindrical battery 4 is arranged at a predetermined position in the housing structure 3.

Next, the usage state of the battery pack 5 having the above configuration will be described. The sensor accommodating body 2 (hence, the wall body 50) and the cylindrical battery 4 are arranged so as to be relatively immovable in the vertical direction and the width direction (in the vertical and horizontal directions of the paper surface in FIG. 5). However, the cylindrical battery 4 may be arranged so as to be movable in the front-rear direction (front / back direction of the paper surface), or may be arranged so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. The temperature sensor 1 is located between the sensor housing 2 and the cylindrical battery 4 (more specifically, between the upper wall 51 and the cylindrical battery 4) in the vertical direction (temperature measuring surface 14a and outer peripheral curved surface 4a). It is arranged so as to be relatively movable with respect to the sensor accommodating body 2), and is mounted in a state where the top 28 of the pair of pressing bodies 20 is pressed against the upper wall 51 as shown in FIG. It is preferable that the temperature sensor 1 is arranged so as not to move relative to the sensor housing 2 in the front-rear direction and the width direction.

In the mounted state of the temperature sensor 1, the pair of pressing bodies 20 are elastic so that the free end 27 moves downward (more accurately, moves downward and diagonally backward) due to the reaction force received from the upper wall 51. It is deformed. As a result, the pair of pressing bodies 20 generate an elastic restoring force that presses the sensor body 10 (temperature measuring surface 14a) downward toward the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4 via the support wall body 31. There is. Due to this elastic restoring force, the close contact state between the temperature measuring surface 14a of the temperature sensor 1 and the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4 is maintained (see FIG. 6). By mounting the temperature sensor 1 on the sensor housing 2 and the cylindrical battery 4 in this way, the assembly of the battery pack 5 is completed (the assembly of the battery pack 5 is completed).

In the mounted state of the temperature sensor 1 (the state in which the temperature measuring surface 14a of the temperature sensor 1 and the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4 are in close contact with each other), an amount of heat corresponding to the temperature of the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4 is generated. The heat transferred to the temperature measuring surface 14a and transferred to the temperature measuring surface 14a is transferred to the temperature measuring element 13 via the first heat transfer plate 14 and the pair of second heat transfer plates 15. Then, the temperature of the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4 is measured by the temperature measuring element 13 connected to the temperature measuring device or the temperature measuring circuit board.

Next, the action / effect of the pair of extension points 55 included in the sensor housing 2 will be described. In the used state of the battery pack 5, cooling air is blown to the cylindrical battery 4 in order to prevent an excessive rise in the temperature of the cylindrical battery 4 due to charging / discharging of the cylindrical battery 4.

Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 5, in a state where a gap S is formed between the outer peripheral curved surface 4a and the pair of extension points 55, the cooling air is blown from the lower side to the upper side to the cylindrical battery 4. Imagine a case.

In this case, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 7, a part of the cooling air may flow into the space 56 in the wall body 50 through the gap S. The cooling air that has flowed into the space 56 passes through the internal space of the wall body 50 (that is, the accommodating portion 53) while hitting the temperature sensor 1, and is discharged to the outside through the through hole 51a.

As described above, when the cooling air hits the temperature sensor 1, the temperature of the temperature sensor 1 (and thus the amount of heat transferred to the temperature measuring element 13) is lowered, so that the temperature measuring accuracy of the temperature sensor 1 may be lowered. .. Therefore, in order to suppress the decrease in the temperature measurement accuracy of the temperature sensor 1, it is preferable to suppress the inflow of the cooling air from the gap S. The pair of extension points 55 are provided to suppress the inflow of the cooling air from the gap S.

Specifically, when the sensor accommodating body 2 is provided with the pair of extension points 55 as in the present embodiment, the space is compared with the comparative example in which the pair of extension points 55 shown in FIG. 8 is not provided. The volume of 56 becomes smaller. When the volume of the space 56 becomes small, the pressure loss when the cooling air flowing in through the gap S passes through the space 56 becomes large, so that it becomes difficult for the cooling air to flow into the space 56. Therefore, as compared with the comparative example, it is possible to suppress a decrease in temperature measurement accuracy of the temperature sensor 1 due to the inflow of cooling air.

Further, the pair of extension points 55 extend along the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4 at the points corresponding to the inflow port when the cooling air flows into the space 56. Due to this extension point 55, the length of the gap S (the flow path length of the cooling air in the vicinity of the inflow port) is equal to the extension length of the extension point 55 at the place corresponding to the inflow port of the cooling air as compared with the comparative example. Can be lengthened. By extending the length of the flow path, the pressure loss of the cooling air in the vicinity of the inflow port can be increased. Therefore, the inflow of the cooling air can be suppressed more efficiently than in the case where the convex portion corresponding to the extension portion 55 is provided at a portion different from the portion corresponding to the inflow port of the cooling air, and the temperature sensor 1 caused by the inflow of the cooling air It is possible to further suppress the decrease in temperature measurement accuracy.

As described above, according to the temperature sensor accommodating structure 3 and the battery pack 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the temperature measuring surface 14a of the temperature sensor 1 is curved so as to correspond to the shape of the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4. Therefore, the contact area between the temperature measuring surface 14a and the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4 can be increased as compared with the case where the temperature measuring surface has a planar shape like a conventional temperature sensor. As a result, the temperature sensor accommodating structure 3 of the present configuration can appropriately measure the temperature of the cylindrical battery 4.

Further, the temperature measuring surface 14a of the temperature sensor 1 housed in the sensor housing 2 is sandwiched between the cylindrical battery 4 and the temperature sensor 1 in a state of being in contact with the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4. The extension portion 55 (convex portion) protrudes from the side wall 52 (wall body 50) of the sensor accommodating body 2 toward the space 56. Due to the extension portion 55, the volume of the space 56 is smaller than that in the case where the extension portion 55 is not provided, and the cooling air for cooling the cylindrical battery 4 is provided between the cylindrical battery 4 and the sensor accommodating body 2. The pressure loss when flowing into the space 56 through the gap S becomes large. Due to this increase in pressure loss, it becomes difficult for the cooling air to flow into the space 56. Therefore, the temperature measurement accuracy by the temperature sensor 1 can be improved as compared with the case where the extension portion 55 is not provided. Therefore, the accommodation structure 3 of the temperature sensor of the present configuration can appropriately measure the temperature of the cylindrical battery 4.

Further, at a portion corresponding to the inflow port when the cooling air flows into the space 56 (a portion on the periphery of the opening 54 of the wall body 50), the flow path of the cooling air is extended by the length of the extension portion 55. The pressure loss at the inflow port can be increased. As a result, the inflow of the cooling air can be suppressed more efficiently than in the case where the convex portion is provided at a portion different from the portion corresponding to the inflow port.

Further, when the pressing body 20 presses the temperature sensor 1, the state in which the temperature measuring surface 14a and the outer peripheral curved surface 4a of the cylindrical battery 4 are in contact with each other can be more reliably maintained. Further, even if the space 56 (the space where the cooling air can flow in) between the temperature sensor 1 and the sensor accommodating body 2 becomes large by providing such a pressing body 20 in the temperature sensor 1, the sensor accommodating body 2 Since the inflow of the cooling air is suppressed by the extension portion 55 provided in the above, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the temperature measurement accuracy by the temperature sensor 1.

Further, the temperature measuring element 13 is arranged so as to be surrounded by the first heat transfer plate 14 and the pair of second heat transfer plates 15. Therefore, the heat transferred from the surface of the cylindrical battery 4 to the temperature measuring surface 14a of the first heat transfer plate 14 is wrapped around the temperature measuring element 13 via the first heat transfer plate 14 and the second heat transfer plate 15. Can be transmitted from multiple directions. Therefore, the temperature of the cylindrical battery 4 can be measured more appropriately than in the case where the heat transferred from the cylindrical battery 4 is transferred to the temperature measuring element 13 from one direction.

Further, a potting resin material 19 is provided between the temperature measuring element 13 and the heat transfer body 12. Therefore, even when a highly conductive material (for example, metal) is used as the heat transfer body 12, the cylindrical battery 4 and the temperature measuring element 13 can be reliably insulated from each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temperature measuring element 13 from failing due to an electrical short circuit between the cylindrical battery 4 and the temperature measuring element 13.

<Other aspects>
The present invention is not limited to each of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified, improved, and the like. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

For example, in the above embodiment, as the convex portion according to the present invention, an extension portion 55 extending diagonally inward and upward in the width direction from the lower end portion of the side wall 52 of the wall body 50 is adopted. On the other hand, as the convex portion according to the present invention, as long as the volume of the space 56 sandwiched between the cylindrical battery 4 and the temperature sensor 1 becomes small, for example, the convex portion is the unevenness of the surface of the temperature sensor 1. It may have a fitting shape corresponding to the shape.

Further, in the above embodiment, the thermistor is used as the temperature measuring element 13 of the temperature sensor 1. However, as the temperature measuring element 13, a positor, a thermocouple, a semiconductor element, a bimetal, or the like may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the pair of pressing bodies 20 are provided on both sides in the width direction of the housing 11, but for example, even if a single pressing body 20 is provided at the center position in the width direction on the upper side of the housing 11. good. Further, in the above embodiment, the pressing body 20 is provided on the support wall 30, but the pressing body 20 may be provided at a place different from the support wall 30.

Here, the features of the temperature sensor accommodating structure 3 and the battery pack 5 according to the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed below (1) to (5), respectively.
(1)
A temperature sensor (1) having a temperature measuring surface (14a) curved so as to correspond to the shape of the outer peripheral curved surface (4a) of the cylindrical battery (4).
The accommodating portion (53) accommodating the temperature sensor (1), and the wall body constituting the accommodating portion (53) so that the temperature measuring surface (14a) and the outer peripheral curved surface (4a) can be brought into contact with each other. The wall toward the opening (54) provided in (50) and the space (56) that will be sandwiched between the cylindrical battery (4) and the temperature sensor (1) at the time of the contact. A sensor housing (2) having a convex portion (55) protruding from the body (50).
Accommodation structure of temperature sensor.
(2)
In the temperature sensor accommodating structure (3) described in (1) above,
The sensor housing (2) is
The convex portion has an extension portion (55) extending from the peripheral edge of the opening (54) along the outer peripheral curved surface (4a) of the cylindrical battery (4).
Accommodation structure of temperature sensor.
(3)
In the temperature sensor accommodating structure (3) according to the above (1) or (2).
The temperature sensor (1) is
The temperature measuring surface (14a) is accommodated in the accommodating portion (53) of the sensor accommodating body (2) in a state of being pressed in a direction in which the temperature measuring surface (14a) is brought into contact with the outer peripheral curved surface (4a) of the cylindrical battery. ,
Accommodation structure of temperature sensor.
(4)
In the temperature sensor accommodating structure (3) according to any one of the above (1) to (3).
The temperature sensor (1)
A pair of second heat transfer plates extending from both ends of the first heat transfer plate (14) constituting the temperature measuring surface (14a) and the first heat transfer plate (14) in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral curved surface (4a). A heat transfer body (12) having a heat plate (15) and
A temperature measuring element (13) arranged so as to be surrounded by the first heat transfer plate (14) and the pair of second heat transfer plates (15).
It has an insulator (19) provided between the temperature measuring element (13) and the heat transfer body (12).
Accommodation structure of temperature sensor.
(5)
A battery pack (5) including a cylindrical battery (4), a temperature sensor (1) for measuring the temperature of the cylindrical battery, and a sensor housing (2) for accommodating the temperature sensor.
The temperature sensor and the sensor accommodating body
The temperature sensor accommodating structure (3) according to any one of the above (1) to (4) is configured.
Battery pack.

1 Temperature sensor 2 Sensor housing 3 Temperature sensor housing structure 4 Cylindrical battery 4a Outer curved surface 5 Battery pack 12 Heat transfer body 13 Heat transfer element 14 1st heat transfer plate 14a Temperature measurement surface 15 2nd heat transfer plate 19 Potting resin Material (insulator)
20 Pressing body 50 Wall body 53 Accommodating part 54 Opening part 55 Extension point (convex part)
56 space

Claims (5)

A temperature sensor with a temperature measuring surface curved to correspond to the shape of the outer peripheral curved surface of the cylindrical battery,
An accommodating portion for accommodating the temperature sensor, an opening provided in a wall body constituting the accommodating portion so that the temperature measuring surface and the outer peripheral curved surface can be brought into contact with each other, and the contact at the time of the abutting. A sensor accommodating body having a convex portion protruding from the wall body toward a space sandwiched between the cylindrical battery and the temperature sensor.
Accommodation structure of temperature sensor. In the temperature sensor accommodating structure according to claim 1,
The sensor housing is
The convex portion has an extension portion extending from the peripheral edge of the opening along the outer peripheral curved surface of the cylindrical battery.
Accommodation structure of temperature sensor. In the temperature sensor accommodating structure according to claim 1 or 2.
The temperature sensor
A state in which the temperature measuring surface is pressed in a direction of abutting against the outer peripheral curved surface of the cylindrical battery is accommodated in the accommodating portion of the sensor accommodating body.
Accommodation structure of temperature sensor. In the temperature sensor accommodating structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The temperature sensor
A heat transfer body having a first heat transfer plate constituting the temperature measuring surface and a pair of second heat transfer plates extending from both ends of the first heat transfer plate in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral curved surface.
A temperature measuring element arranged so as to be surrounded by the first heat transfer plate and the pair of second heat transfer plates.
It has an insulator provided between the temperature measuring element and the heat transfer body.
Accommodation structure of temperature sensor. A battery pack including a cylindrical battery, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the cylindrical battery, and a sensor accommodating body for accommodating the temperature sensor.
The temperature sensor and the sensor accommodating body
The accommodating structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
Battery pack.

Images