JP7287315B2 - battery module and battery - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to vehicle battery modules and batteries.

Conventionally, a vehicle is provided with a battery module having a plurality of batteries. Patent Document 1 discloses a driving battery temperature control system that cools or warms a battery using water cooled or heated by switching an electromagnetic switching valve to one of a plurality of modes based on the temperature of the battery. is disclosed.

JP 2012-81932 A

A vehicle may be provided with a battery module having a plurality of batteries. In this case, if one heat source is used to heat or cool a plurality of batteries, the heat dissipation loss due to, for example, the length of the flow path between the heat source and each battery may be different, or due to the position of each battery. As a result, there is a problem that the temperature difference may occur between the batteries due to the difference in heat dissipation loss.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a battery module having a plurality of batteries in which the temperature of each battery can be adjusted.

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery module having a plurality of batteries, wherein the batteries include a power storage unit that stores electricity, a transport pipe that transports a heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the power storage unit, a heater unit for heating a heat transfer medium; a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the electricity storage unit; and a control unit for adjusting the flow rate of the heat transfer medium heated in the unit.

In the battery, a heat transfer medium heated by the heater portion is passed through the transport pipe, a heat transfer medium that has flowed in from the outside of the battery is passed through the transport pipe, or a heat transfer medium heated by the heater portion is passed through the transport pipe. a switching unit for switching between a medium and a heat transfer medium that has flowed in from the outside of the battery and flowing through the transport pipe, wherein the control unit controls whether the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is higher than a predetermined first threshold. The switching unit may be controlled so that at least the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit is allowed to flow through the transport pipe when the temperature is low.

Further, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is lower than a predetermined second threshold value which is smaller than the predetermined first threshold value, the control unit transfers the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit to the transport pipe. The switching unit may be controlled so that the heat transfer medium that has flowed in from the outside of the battery does not flow into the transport pipe.

In a second aspect of the present invention, a power storage unit that stores electricity, a transport pipe that transports a heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the power storage unit, a heater unit that heats the heat transfer medium, and a temperature of the power storage unit and a control unit for adjusting the flow rate of the heat transfer medium heated by the heater part out of the flow rate of the heat transfer medium flowing through the transport pipe, based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. A battery characterized by comprising:

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to adjust the temperature of each battery in a battery module having a plurality of batteries.

1 shows a configuration of a vehicle provided with a battery module according to this embodiment; 1 shows a configuration of a vehicle provided with a battery module as a comparative example; Shows the configuration of the battery. 4 is a flow chart showing the flow of operation of a control unit;

[Peripheral Configuration of Battery Module S]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle A provided with a battery module S according to this embodiment.
The battery module S is used as a power source for driving the vehicle A. As shown in FIG. A vehicle A is provided with a battery module S, a flow path switching section C, a radiator D, a pump F, and a chiller G.

A battery module S has a plurality of batteries 1 . Battery 1 stores electricity. The battery module S has, for example, three batteries 1 . The number of batteries 1 included in the battery module S is arbitrary. Although the details of the battery 1 will be described later, the battery 1 is configured to allow a heat transfer medium to flow in order to maintain the internal temperature within an appropriate range. The heat-carrying medium is, for example, cooling water.

The flow switching unit C switches between flowing the heat transfer medium to the radiator D and flowing the heat transfer medium not to the radiator D but to the pump F. The flow path switching section C is provided between the battery module S and the radiator D. As shown in FIG. A radiator D cools the heat-carrying medium. The radiator D cools the heat transfer medium by heat-exchanging the heat transfer medium with the air. The radiator D is provided between the channel switching portion C and the pump F. As shown in FIG.

In the vehicle A, the heat transfer medium can be cooled in the radiator D or not cooled in the radiator D by switching the flow path switching portion C.

Pump F pumps the heat-carrying medium. The power consumption of the pump F is, for example, 30W. Pump F is provided between radiator D and chiller G. Chiller G cools the heat transfer medium. A chiller G is provided between the pump F and the battery module S.

The heat transfer medium flowing out of the chiller G flows into the battery module S and into the plurality of batteries 1 . Then, the heat transfer medium that has flowed out of the plurality of batteries 1 flows out of the battery module S and flows into the flow path switching portion C. As shown in FIG. After that, the heat transfer medium that has flowed out from the channel switching portion C flows through the radiator D, the pump F, and the chiller G in this order.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle Aa provided with a battery module Sa as a comparative example.
The battery module Sa of the comparative example differs from the battery module S in that the battery 1a only has a power storage unit and a transport pipe for transporting a heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the power storage unit. The vehicle Aa of the comparative example has a pump Fa instead of the pump F, and a flow path switching portion Ia and a heater portion Ha. Or, it is different in switching whether the heat transfer medium is flowed to the chiller G.

The power consumption of the pump Fa is greater than the power consumption of the pump F. The power consumption of the pump Fa is 100 W, for example. The power consumption of the heater part Ha is, for example, 7 kW. In the battery module Sa of the comparative example, the heat transfer medium heated by the heater portion Ha is passed through each battery 1a. Therefore, in the battery module Sa, for example, the heat dissipation loss due to the length of the flow path between the heater part Ha and each battery 1a is different, or the heat dissipation loss is different due to the position of each battery 1a. By doing so, there is a possibility that a temperature difference may occur between the batteries 1a.

As a result, in the battery module Sa of the comparative example, there is a possibility that the degree of deterioration or the output characteristics of each battery 1a may vary due to the temperature of each battery 1a, for example. On the other hand, in the battery module S, the flow rate of the heat transfer medium flowing inside the battery 1 can be changed in order to maintain the temperature inside the battery 1 within an appropriate range. Therefore, in the battery module S, it is possible to prevent the temperature difference between the batteries 1 from becoming too large.

[Configuration of Battery 1]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the battery 1. As shown in FIG.
The battery 1 has a power storage unit 11 , a transport pipe 12 , a heater unit 13 , a temperature detection unit 14 , a switching unit 15 , a pump 16 and a control unit 17 .

The power storage unit 11 stores electricity. Transport pipe 12 transports a heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with power storage unit 11 . The heater section 13 heats the heat transfer medium. The power consumption of the heater section 13 is smaller than that of the heater section Ha. The power consumption of the heater section 13 is, for example, 2 kW. Temperature detection unit 14 detects the temperature of power storage unit 11 .

The switching unit 15 allows the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit 13 to flow through the transport pipe 12, the heat transfer medium that has flowed in from the outside of the battery 1 to flow through the transport pipe 12, or the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit 13. and whether the heat transfer medium that has flowed in from the outside of the battery 1 is allowed to flow through the transport pipe 12 is switched. The switching unit 15 includes, for example, a three-way valve.

A pump 16 pumps the heat-carrying medium. The power consumption of the pump 16 is smaller than the power consumption of the pump Fa. The power consumption of the pump 16 is, for example, 30W.

The control unit 17 is an electronic control device including a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The control unit 17 adjusts the flow rate of the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit 13 out of the flow rate of the heat transfer medium flowing through the transport pipe 12 based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 14 . That is, the control unit 17 adjusts the ratio of the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit 13 to the heat transfer medium flowing through the transport pipe 12 based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 14 .

In the battery module S, the battery 1 detects the temperature of the heater unit 13, the temperature detection unit 14 that detects the temperature of the power storage unit 11, and the heat transfer medium flowing through the transport pipe 12 based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 14. It has a control section 17 for adjusting the flow rate of the heat transfer medium heated by the heater section 13 among the flow rates of . Therefore, the temperature of the battery module S can be adjusted for each battery 1 . As a result, in the battery module S, it becomes possible to adjust the temperature between the batteries 1, so that temperature differences between the batteries 1 are less likely to occur.

The control unit 17 controls the switching unit 15 to flow the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit 13 to the transport pipe 12 when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 14 is lower than a predetermined first threshold. The control unit 17 controls the switching unit 15 so that the heat transfer medium that has flowed in from the outside of the battery 1 flows through the transport pipe 12 when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 14 is equal to or higher than a predetermined first threshold. In the battery module S, the control unit 17 controls the switching unit 15 in this way, so that the battery 1 can be cooled.

Further, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 14 is lower than a predetermined first threshold value and is equal to or higher than a predetermined second threshold value, the control unit 17 controls the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit 13 and the outside of the battery 1 to The switching unit 15 is controlled to flow the heat transfer medium that has flowed into the transport pipe 12 . The predetermined second threshold is less than the predetermined first threshold. In the battery module S, the control unit 17 controls the switching unit 15 in this way, so that the battery 1 can be heated while suppressing the temperature increase rate of the battery 1 .

Further, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 14 is lower than the predetermined second threshold, the control unit 17 causes the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit 13 to flow through the transport pipe 12 and flow from the outside of the battery 1. The switching unit 15 is controlled so as not to flow the heat transfer medium into the transport pipe 12 .

In the battery module S, the control unit 17 controls the switching unit 15 in this way, so that the heat transfer medium flows from the outside of the battery 1 when the temperature of the power storage unit 11 is lower than the predetermined second threshold value. The heat transfer medium heated by the heater section 13 can be circulated in the battery 1 without the heat transfer medium. Therefore, in the battery module S, when the temperature of the power storage unit 11 is lower than the predetermined second threshold, only the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit 13 is circulated in the battery module S to raise the temperature of the battery 1. Speed can be improved.

[Operation by control unit 17]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the control unit 17. As shown in FIG.
First, control unit 17 identifies the temperature of power storage unit 11 detected by temperature detection unit 14 (S11). Next, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 14 is lower than a predetermined first threshold (S12). When the control unit 17 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 14 is equal to or higher than the predetermined first threshold value (NO in S12), the control unit 17 causes only the heat transfer medium that has flowed in from the outside of the battery 1 to flow through the transport pipe 12 ( S14).

When the control unit 17 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 14 is lower than the predetermined first threshold (YES in S12), the control unit 17 determines whether the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 14 is lower than the predetermined second threshold. It is determined whether or not (S13). When the control unit 17 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 14 is equal to or higher than the predetermined second threshold value (NO in S13), the control unit 17 controls the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit 13 and the battery 1. The heat transfer medium that has flowed in from the outside is allowed to flow through the transport pipe 12 (S15).

When the control unit 17 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 14 is lower than the predetermined second threshold value (YES in S13), the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit 13 flows through the transport pipe 12, and the battery 1 The heat transfer medium that has flowed in from outside is not allowed to flow into the transport pipe 12 (S16).

[Modification 1]
In the above embodiment, an example in which the switching portion 15 is a three-way valve was shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The switching unit 15 may be, for example, a valve that can adjust the degree of opening. In this case, the control unit 17 adjusts the opening degree of the valve based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 14 so that the amount of heat transferred by the heater unit 13 out of the flow rate of the heat transfer medium flowing through the transfer pipe 12 is reduced. The media flow rate may be adjusted. In the battery module S, since the battery 1 has such a switching unit 15, the rate of temperature increase of the battery 1 can be adjusted more freely.

[Modification 2]
In the above embodiment, an example in which temperature detection unit 14 detects the temperature of power storage unit 11 was shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. Temperature detection unit 14 may detect the temperature of the heat transfer medium that has flowed out of power storage unit 11 .

[Modification 3]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the heater section 13 is ON regardless of the operation of the switching section 15 was shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The heater section 13 may be turned ON or OFF based on the operation of the switching section 15 . In this case, the control unit 17 turns ON the heater unit 13 when the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit 13 is flown through the transport pipe 12, and only the heat transfer medium that has flowed in from the outside of the battery 1 is flown through the transport pipe 12. In this case, the heater section 13 may be turned off. In the battery module S, the battery 1 has the controller 17 that operates the heater section 13 in this way, so that the power consumption of the heater section 13 can be suppressed.

[Modification 4]
In the above embodiment, in order to maintain the internal temperature of each battery 1 within an appropriate range, the flow rate of the heat transfer medium heated by the heater section 13 out of the flow rate of the heat transfer medium flowing through the transport pipe 12 is controlled by the control section. 17 regulates, but is not limited to this. The battery module S may further include an integrated control section that controls each battery 1 to adjust the temperature of each battery 1 based on the temperature difference of each battery 1 .

Specifically, the integrated control unit receives the temperature of the power storage unit 11 detected by the temperature detection unit 14 from the control unit 17 of each battery 1, for example. The overall control unit then calculates the average temperature, which is the average value of the temperatures of the power storage units 11 of the respective batteries 1 , and transmits the calculated average temperature to the control unit 17 . Then, the control unit 17 controls the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit 13 out of the flow rate of the heat transfer medium flowing through the transport pipe 12 so that the temperature of the power storage unit 11 detected by the temperature detection unit 14 becomes the received average temperature. adjust the flow rate of

[Effect of battery module S according to the present embodiment]
A battery module S according to this embodiment is a battery module S having a plurality of batteries 1 . The battery 1 includes a power storage unit 11 that stores electricity, a transport pipe 12 that transports a heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the power storage unit 11, a heater unit 13 that heats the heat transfer medium, and a temperature of the power storage unit 11. and a temperature detection unit 14 for detecting. The battery 1 also has a control unit 17 that adjusts the flow rate of the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit 13 out of the flow rate of the heat transfer medium flowing through the transport pipe 12 based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 14 . .

The battery module S thus has the heater section 13 , the temperature detection section 14 and the control section 17 . Therefore, the temperature of the battery module S can be adjusted for each battery 1 . As a result, in the battery module S, it becomes possible to adjust the temperature between the batteries 1, so that temperature differences between the batteries 1 are less likely to occur.

Further, in the battery module S, each battery 1 has a heater portion 13 , and the heater portion 13 heats the heat transfer medium that flows to the power storage portion 11 . On the other hand, in the battery module Sa of the comparative example, one heater portion Ha heats the heat transfer medium flowing through the plurality of batteries 1a. Therefore, in the battery module S, the flow rate of the heat transfer medium heated by the heater section 13 can be made smaller than the flow rate of the heat transfer medium heated by the heater section Ha. As a result, in the battery module S, the power consumption of each heater section 13 can be reduced.

In addition, in the battery module S, since the battery 1 has the heater portion 13, the length of the flow path between the heater portion 13 and the power storage portion 11 is equal to the length of the flow path between the heater portion Ha and each battery 1a. shorter than the length of Therefore, in the battery S, the heat dissipation loss between the heater portion 13 and the power storage portion 11 in the transport pipe 12 can be made smaller than the heat dissipation loss in the flow path between the heater portion Ha and each battery 1a.

Further, in the battery S, the length of the flow path between the heater section 13 and the power storage section 11 is shorter than the length of the flow path between the heater section Ha and the battery 1a. Loss can be suppressed, and the temperature rise rate of power storage unit 11 can be improved.

Further, in the battery module S, each battery 1 has a pump 16, and the vehicle A is provided with a pump F. As shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the battery module Sa of the comparative example, each battery 1a does not have a pump, and the vehicle Aa is provided with a pump Fa. The pump Fa pumps a heat transfer medium to flow through the plurality of batteries 1a.

Therefore, in the battery module S, the power consumption of the pump 16 and the power consumption of the pump F can be made smaller than the power consumption of the pump Fa. Further, in the battery module S, it becomes possible to adjust the flow velocity of the heat transfer medium flowing in the battery 1 for each battery 1 . Specifically, in the battery module S, for example, when only the heat transfer medium heated by the heater section 13 is circulated in the battery 1, the flow velocity of the heat transfer medium can be adjusted between the batteries 1. become. Further, in the battery module S, even when the pump F is stopped, the heat transfer medium can be made to flow by activating the pump 16 .

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist thereof. be. For example, all or part of the device can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in arbitrary units. In addition, new embodiments resulting from arbitrary combinations of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effect of the new embodiment caused by the combination has the effect of the original embodiment.

A Vehicle S Battery module 1 Battery 11 Power storage unit 12 Transportation pipe 13 Heater unit 14 Temperature detection unit 15 Switching unit 16 Pump 17 Control section C Flow path switching section D Radiator F Pump G Chiller Aa Comparative example vehicle Fa Pump Ha Heater section Ia... Flow path switching part Sa... Battery module 1a of a comparative example... Battery

Claims (4)

A battery module having a plurality of batteries,
The battery is
an electricity storage unit that accumulates electricity;
a transport pipe for transporting a heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the power storage unit;
a heater unit that heats the heat transfer medium;
a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the power storage unit;
a control unit that adjusts the flow rate of the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit out of the flow rate of the heat transfer medium flowing through the transport pipe based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit;
A battery module comprising: The battery is
Flowing the heat transfer medium heated by the heater part into the transport pipe, flowing the heat transfer medium flowing from the outside of the battery into the transport pipe, or flowing the heat transfer medium heated by the heater part and the outside of the battery a switching unit that switches whether the heat transfer medium that has flowed in from the
further having
When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is lower than a predetermined first threshold, the control unit controls the switching unit so that at least the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit flows through the transport pipe. characterized by
The battery module according to claim 1. when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is lower than a predetermined second threshold that is smaller than the predetermined first threshold, the control unit causes the heat transfer medium heated by the heater to flow through the transport pipe; The switching unit is controlled so as not to flow the heat transfer medium that has flowed from the outside of the battery into the transport pipe,
The battery module according to claim 2. an electricity storage unit that accumulates electricity;
a transport pipe for transporting a heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the power storage unit;
a heater unit that heats the heat transfer medium;
a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the power storage unit;
a control unit that adjusts the flow rate of the heat transfer medium heated by the heater unit out of the flow rate of the heat transfer medium flowing through the transport pipe based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit;
A battery characterized by comprising:

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