JP4242501B2

JP4242501B2 - Collective sealed secondary battery

Info

Publication number: JP4242501B2
Application number: JP05561499A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 貢高木; 真介福田; 真一湯浅; 真治浜田
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Toyota Motor Corp; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp; Toyota Motor Corp; Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1999-03-03
Filing date: 1999-03-03
Publication date: 2009-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-03
Also published as: JP2000251953A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、単電池を複数個直列配置して一体電槽としてなる集合型密閉二次電池に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
この種の集合型密閉二次電池としては、特開平７−８５８４７号公報に開示されたものが知られている。その集合型密閉二次電池６１は、図１０に示すように、有底矩形筒形状に形成された電槽６３内に発電要素を収容し、電槽６３の開口部を蓋体６４により封止してなる単電池６２を複数個直列配置し、これら単電池６２の電槽６３を端板６５及び拘束バンド６６にて緊締状態で連結し、また各単電池６２の正極端子６７及び負極端子６８を蓋体６４を貫通させて上方に突出させ、これら端子６７、６８を電気接続バー６９で順次直列に接続した構造となっている。
【０００３】
また、特開平６−２１５８０４号公報には、プラスチック製の電槽と蓋体を熱溶着したモノブロック蓄電池において、その電槽の２つの対向する側壁の外面にそれぞれ内側に凹入空間を形成した側板を熱溶着して電槽の側壁と側板との間に冷却ジャケット部を構成し、側板の両端部の上部に冷却液体の入口オリフィスと出口オリフィスを設けたものが開示されている。また、その冷却ジャケット部内には蛇行流通路を形成するようにその上端面と下端面から交互に整流突条が突設され、さらに上端面から垂下される整流突条の上端と上端面との間には、１〜３ｍｍ程度の空気逃がし口が形成されている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、特開平７−８５８４７号公報の集合型密閉二次電池では、各単電池が密接配置されて緊締されているので、周囲温度が高い場合や大電流で充放電した場合に各単電池からの放熱が十分に行われず、電池温度が上昇して電池寿命が低下するという問題がある。
【０００５】
これに対して、特開平６−２１５８０４号公報の蓄電池では、電槽の両側面が水冷ジャケット部で冷却されるためにある程度温度上昇を抑制でき、またその水冷ジャケット部内に蛇行流通路が形成されているために電槽の側面の全面を略均等に冷却することができ、さらに水冷ジャケット部の上端壁と整流突条とが接続される隅部に空気逃がし穴が形成されているためその隅部に生じる空気溜まりによって冷却能力が低下するのをある程度抑制できるが、上記と同様に単電池間の冷却ができないために電池温度が上昇するという問題がある。
【０００６】
なお、本発明者による研究の結果、上記特開平７−８５８４７号公報の集合型密閉二次電池の問題を解消するために単電池間に空間部を設け、上記特開平６−２１５８０４号公報に開示された水冷ジャケット部と組み合わせて構成し、空間部が冷却通路となるように構成した場合には、特に水冷ジャケット部の上端壁と整流突条の隅部に冷却媒体の流れが滞って空気溜まりが発生し易いために、空気溜まりの発生による冷却性能の低下が一層大きな障害になるということが判明した。さらには、上記隅部に小さな空気逃がし口を設けただけでは、空気が冷却媒体の流れに乗って速やかに排出するのは困難で、上記障害の解消は容易でないということも判明した。
【０００７】
本発明は、上記従来の問題点に鑑み、単電池間に冷却通路となる空間部を設けて各単電池を効果的に冷却してその温度上昇を防止でき、かつ両側の水冷媒体通路の蛇行流通路に空気溜まりが発生して冷却能力が低下するのを防止した集合型密閉二次電池を提供することを目的としている。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の集合型密閉二次電池は、有底矩形筒形状の電槽内に発電要素を収容してその開口部を封止して成る単電池を複数個直列配置し、それら単電池間に空間部を設けた集合型密閉二次電池において、単電池の配置方向に対してその両側に冷却媒体通路を配設するとともに、冷却媒体通路に蛇行流通路を形成するように整流突条を突設し、冷却媒体通路の上端部から垂下される整流突条の上端と冷却媒体通路の上端壁との間に空気逃がし口を形成したものであり、単電池間の空間部が両側の冷却媒体通路間を連通する冷却媒体通路となることによって、各単電池を効果的に冷却してその温度上昇を防止でき、かつ単電池間の空間部を冷却媒体通路としたことによって整流突条の上端と冷却媒体通路の上端壁との間の隅部に空気が溜まり易くなっても、その空気が空気逃がし口を通って下流側の蛇行流通路に移動し、最終的に冷却媒体通路から排出されるので、蛇行流通路に空気溜まりが発生して冷却能力が低下するのを確実に防止することができる。
【０００９】
また、冷却媒体通路の上端壁の少なくとも空気逃がし口に対向する部分にその側方に向けて傾斜する傾斜面を形成すると、上記隅部に空気が溜まっても空気逃がし口を通って傾斜面にて蛇行流通路の中央側に移動させることができるので、蛇行流通路を流れる冷却媒体の強い流れに乗って下流側に移動し、蛇行流通路に空気溜まりが発生して冷却能力が低下するのをより一層確実に防止することができる。
【００１０】
また、冷却媒体通路の上端壁に、冷却媒体通路の入口端から出口端に向けて上方に傾斜する傾斜面を形成すると、空気はこの傾斜面に沿って空気逃がし口を順次通過して冷却媒体通路の出口端まで円滑に排出される。
【００１１】
また、整流突条の上端の高さ位置を略同一高さにし、空気逃がし口の開口面積を冷却媒体通路の入口端から出口端に向けて順次大きくすると、下流側ほど空気が流出し易くなり、一層円滑に排出され、空気溜まりが発生して冷却能力が低下するのを確実に防止することができる。
【００１２】
また、冷却媒体通路の上端壁に、各空気逃がし口に対向する部分から両側に向けて上方に傾斜する傾斜面を形成しても、空気を円滑に排出できる。
【００１３】
また、傾斜面の水平面に対する傾斜角を３〜５°とし、また空気逃がし穴の上下幅を３〜５ｍｍとすると、整流突条の上端と冷却媒体通路の上端壁との間の隅部に溜まった空気を確実に蛇行流通路の中央側に移動させることができ、空気溜まりが発生して冷却能力が低下するのを確実に防止することができる。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の集合型密閉二次電池の一実施形態について、図１〜図８を参照して説明する。
【００１５】
本実施形態の集合型密閉二次電池１は、電気自動車用の駆動電源として好適に用いることができるニッケル・水素二次電池であり、図１〜図３に示すように、単電池２を複数個直列配置して相互に接合して一体電槽とし、単電池列の両端に端板６を接合し、単電池２及び端板６の配列方向に対してその両側に内側に扁平な空間を凹入形成した板状の冷却ジャケット部材３を接合し、その上に単一体の蓋体５を接合して各単電池２及び端板６を密閉し、端板６、６間を拘束バンド７にて緊締して構成されている。８は一端と他端の単電池２から上方に突出された正極端子や負極端子が貫通するように蓋体５に形成された端子装着穴、９は各単電池２に対応して蓋体５に貫通形成された安全弁装着穴である。１０、１１は冷却媒体の入口オリフィスと出口オリフィスであり、蓋体５の両端部に一体的に装着される。上記単電池２、冷却ジャケット部材３、蓋体５、端板６、入口オリフィス１０、出口オリフィス１１等は、ＰＰ／ＰＰＥアロイなどの合成樹脂にて構成され、溶着によって相互に一体接合されている。また、隣接する単電池２、２は、図２、図３に示すように、接続体１２にて電気的に接続されている。
【００１６】
以下、詳細に説明すると、単電池２は、図２、図３に示すように、有底矩形筒形状の電槽１４内に発電要素１５を収容して成り、各単電池２を直列に配列した状態で互いに対向する電槽１４の対向壁面１６に、相互に当接する多数の突部１７がマトリックス状に突設され、これら突部１７にて両対向壁面１６、１６間に冷却媒体通路となる空間部１８が構成されている。なお、単電池列の両端の単電池２の外側の対向壁面１６には端板６が当てられて接合され、その端板６と対向壁面１６との間にも空間部１８が形成されている。また、適当箇所の複数（図示例では４箇所）の突部１７は大径に形成され、その端面に互いに嵌入係合する係合突起１９ａと係合凹部１９ｂが形成されて電槽１４相互の位置決めがなされている。また、電槽１４の上端から適当距離下方位置と下端縁部には互いに当接する接合縁部２０が突設されている。そして、単電池２を直列に配列した状態で互いに当接している突部１７及び接合縁部２０を相互に溶着することによって各単電池２が一体電槽として一体接合されている。
【００１７】
この単電池２の配列方向に対してその両側における単電池２と水冷ジャケット部材３の内側面との間に形成された空間にて冷却媒体通路２１が構成されている。また、上記端板６の上縁には両側の冷却媒体通路２１に連通して冷却媒体（水）を分配する分配ヘッダ形成樋２２が形成されている。
【００１８】
一体電槽とされた各単電池２の電槽１４における上方の接合縁部２０より上部の上部枠２６には、図２、図３及び図４に示すように、隣接する単電池２を電気的に接続する接続体１２を配置する略三角形状の切欠１３が千鳥状に形成されており、接続体１２は切欠１３に配置された状態で電槽１４及び蓋体５に密封状態で一体接合されている。
【００１９】
接続体１２は、図２、図３及び図５に示すように、金属（ニッケル等）製の接続軸２７と合成樹脂製の支持体２８にて構成され、接続軸２７が支持体２８の保持筒部２９に圧入状態で貫通されるとともに、接続軸２７の鍔部２７ａと保持筒部２９内周との間に介装したＯリング３１にて完全に密封されている。また、支持体２８には保持筒部２９から一対の三角形状の翼部３０が突設され、この接続体１２を切欠１３に配置したときそれぞれ上部枠２６に接合されるように構成されている。
【００２０】
蓋体５は、図２、図３及び図６に示すように、内面に各電槽１４の上部枠２６に対応するように個別枠３２が形成されるとともに、外周部に断面倒立Ｌ字状に外周枠３３が垂下され、長手方向両端部には分配ヘッダ形成樋２２の上端に接合されて分配ヘッダ３５を密閉形成する密封突条３４が突設されている。
【００２１】
また、蓋体５の両端部の一側部には端子装着穴８が形成され、他側部には入口オリフィス１０と出口オリフィス１１を接合する接合突条３６が突設されている。これらオリフィス１０、１１は、平面形状が略Ｊ字状で下面開放のＪ字ボックス片３７の短辺の先端から接続口３８を突出させて構成されている。また、蓋体５のＪ字ボックス片３７の長辺先端部に対向する部分に分配ヘッダ３５に連通する連通開口３９が形成されている。
【００２２】
また、冷却ジャケット部材３の両側壁内面には、図７に示すように、冷却媒体通路２１の全面を冷却媒体が均等に流れるように、上下に蛇行する蛇行流通路４０を形成する整流突条４１が突設されている。また、冷却ジャケット部２１の上端部から垂下される整流突条４１の上端４１ａと冷却ジャケット部２１の上端壁４２との間には空気逃がし口４３が形成されている。さらに、冷却媒体通路２１の上端壁４２は、その入口端２１ａ側の厚さｔ１に対して出口端２１ｂ側の厚さｔ２が小さく設定され、それによって上端壁４２に冷却媒体通路２１の入口端２１ａから出口端２１ｂに向けて上方に傾斜する傾斜面４４が形成されている。一方、冷却媒体通路２１の上端部から垂下される各整流突条４１の上端４１ａの高さ位置は略同一高さにしてあり、それによって空気逃がし口４３の高さ寸法が冷却媒体通路２１の入口端２１ａから出口端２１ｂに向けてｄ１、ｄ２、ｄ３、ｄ４のように順次大きくなっている。ｄ１〜ｄ４は、３〜５ｍｍ程度が好適である。なお、整流突条４１は単電池２の電槽１４側に設けてもよい。
【００２３】
以上の構成の集合型密閉二次電池１においては、入口オリフィス１０から冷却媒体を供給すると、分配ヘッダ３５を通って両側の冷却媒体通路２１に流入し、この冷却媒体通路２１内を下流側に向かって流れるとともに、単電池２間の空間部１８を通って両冷却媒体通路２１、２１間でも流通し、単電池２の電槽１４の対向壁面１６を含めてすべての側面が冷却媒体にて強制冷却され、冷却媒体はその後出口オリフィス１１から排出される。したがって、すべての単電池２の四周側面が冷却媒体にて効果的に冷却される。
【００２４】
また、上記冷却媒体通路２１内において、整流突条４１の上端４１ａと上端壁４２との間の隅部に空気が溜まっても空気逃がし口４３を通って傾斜面４４にて蛇行流通路４４の中央側に移動し、蛇行流通路４０を流れる冷却媒体の強い流れに乗って下流側に移動し、流れに乗らなかった空気も傾斜面４４に沿って空気逃がし口４３を順次通過して冷却媒体通路２１の出口端２１ｂまで円滑に排出される。さらに、空気逃がし口４３の高さ寸法が冷却媒体通路２１の入口端２１ａから出口端２１ｂに向けてｄ１〜ｄ４のように順次大きくなっているので、空気逃がし口４３の開口寸法が順次大きくなり、下流側ほど空気が流出し易くなり、一層円滑に冷却媒体通路２１から排出される。かくして、蛇行流通路４０に空気溜まりが発生して冷却能力が低下するのを確実に防止することができる。
【００２５】
また、本実施形態では各単電池２を溶着して相互に一体接合して一体電槽とするとともにその開口部に一体型の蓋体５を溶着して封止しているので、少ない部品数と組立工数にて一体電槽とした集合型密閉二次電池１を得ることができ、また各単電池２の電槽１４の対向壁面１６に突部１７を形成して突部１７を当接させて相互に溶着しているので簡単かつ安価に対向壁面１６、１６間の略全面にわたる冷却媒体通路１８を形成することができる。
【００２６】
また、単電池列の両側にコンパクトな板状の冷却ジャケット部材３を接合して冷却媒体通路２１を構成しているので軽量に構成することができる。
【００２７】
また、冷却媒体通路２１に対して冷却媒体を供給、排出する冷却媒体の入口オリフィス１０と出口オリフィス１１を単電池配置方向の両端に配設するとともに分配ヘッダ３５を介して両側の冷却媒体通路２１に接続しているので、単一の冷却媒体経路にて上記構成と相まってすべての単電池２の全周を効果的に冷却することができる。
【００２８】
なお、上記冷却媒体通路２１の構成例においては、その上端壁４２に入口端２１ａから出口端２１ｂにわたって傾斜するように傾斜面４４を形成したが、図８に示すように、冷却媒体通路２１の上端壁４２に、各空気逃がし口４３に対向する部分から両側に向けて上方に傾斜するように傾斜面４４を形成してもよい。この場合も、冷却媒体通路２１の上端壁４２と整流突条４１の上端４１ａとの間の隅部に溜まった空気を確実に蛇行流通路４０の中央側に移動させることができ、冷却媒体の強い流れに乗せて排出することができ、空気溜まりが発生して冷却能力が低下するのを防止することができる。なお、空気逃がし口４３の高さ寸法は、３〜５ｍｍ程度が適当であり、また傾斜面４３の水平面に対する傾斜角度θは３〜５°程度が好適である。
【００２９】
次に、本発明の集合型密閉二次電池の他の実施形態について、図９を参照して説明する。上記実施形態では蓋体５が端板６上に被さり、入口オリフィス１０及び出口オリフィス１１が蓋体５に設けられた例を示したが、本実施形態では蓋体５は単電池２群上のみを覆い、両端の端板６の上端部に分配ヘッダ部５２を一体的に設け、その上面に入口オリフィス１０や出口オリフィス１１を突設し、冷却ジャケット部材３の両端の上端部に内部の冷却媒体通路２１を分配ヘッダ部５２の両端に対して接続する接続部５３を屈曲形成している。また、図９中で斜線で示した部分は、単電池２の集合体と冷却ジャケット部材３の溶着部５４である。
【００３０】
本実施形態においても基本的に上記実施形態と同様の作用効果が得られる。
【００３１】
また、上記実施形態では各構成部材を溶着によって一体接合する例を示したが、接着材にて一体接合してもよい。
【００３２】
【発明の効果】
本発明の集合型密閉二次電池によれば、以上の説明から明らかなように、有底矩形筒形状の電槽内に発電要素を収容してその開口部を封止して成る単電池を複数個、単電池間に空間部を設けて直列配置し、それら単電池の配置方向に対してその両側に冷却媒体通路を配設するとともに、冷却媒体通路に蛇行流通路を形成するように整流突条を突設し、冷却媒体通路の上端部から垂下される整流突条の上端と冷却媒体通路の上端壁との間に空気逃がし口を形成したので、単電池間の空間が両側の冷却媒体通路間を連通する冷却媒体通路となることによって、各単電池を効果的に冷却してその温度上昇を防止でき、かつ整流突条の上端と冷却媒体通路の上端壁との間の隅部に空気が溜まり易くなってもその空気が空気逃がし口を通って下流側の蛇行流通路に移動し、最終的に冷却媒体通路から排出されるので、蛇行流通路に空気溜まりが発生して冷却能力が低下するのを確実に防止することができる。
【００３３】
また、冷却媒体通路の上端壁の少なくとも空気逃がし口に対向する部分にその側方に向けて傾斜する傾斜面を形成すると、上記隅部に空気が溜まっても空気逃がし口を通って傾斜面にて蛇行流通路の中央側に移動させることができるので、蛇行流通路を流れる冷却媒体の強い流れに乗って下流側に移動し、蛇行流通路に空気溜まりが発生して冷却能力が低下するのをより一層確実に防止することができる。
【００３４】
また、冷却媒体通路の上端壁に、冷却媒体通路の入口端から出口端に向けて上方に傾斜する傾斜面を形成すると、空気はこの傾斜面に沿って空気逃がし口を順次通過して冷却媒体通路の出口端まで円滑に排出される。
【００３５】
また、整流突条の上端の高さ位置を略同一高さにし、空気逃がし口の開口面積を冷却媒体通路の入口端から出口端に向けて順次大きくすると、下流側ほど空気が流出し易くなり、一層円滑に排出され、空気溜まりが発生して冷却能力が低下するのを確実に防止することができる。
【００３６】
また、冷却媒体通路の上端壁に、各空気逃がし口に対向する部分から両側に向けて上方に傾斜する傾斜面を形成しても、空気を円滑に排出できる。
【００３７】
また、傾斜面の水平面に対する傾斜角を３〜５°とし、また空気逃がし穴の上下幅を３〜５ｍｍとすると、整流突条の上端と冷却媒体通路の上端壁との間の隅部に溜まった空気を確実に蛇行流通路の中央側に移動させることができ、空気溜まりが発生して冷却能力が低下するのを確実に防止することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の集合型密閉二次電池の一実施形態の外観斜視図である。
【図２】同実施形態の縦断側面図である。
【図３】同実施形態の部分縦断正面図である。
【図４】同実施形態の単電池群の上端部における部分斜視図である。
【図５】同実施形態の電気接続体の斜視図である。
【図６】同実施形態の蓋体の斜視図である。
【図７】同実施形態の冷却媒体通路内の構成を示す縦断面図である。
【図８】同実施形態の冷却媒体通路内の他の構成例を示す縦断面図である。
【図９】本発明の集合型密閉二次電池の他の実施形態の分解斜視図である。
【図１０】従来例の集合型密閉二次電池の正面図である。
【符号の説明】
１集合型密閉二次電池
２単電池
１８空間部
２１冷却媒体通路
２１ａ入口端
２１ｂ出口端
４０蛇行流通路
４１整流突条
４１ａ上端
４２上端壁
４３空気逃がし口
４４傾斜面[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a collective sealed secondary battery in which a plurality of single cells are arranged in series to form an integrated battery case.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As this type of collective sealed secondary battery, a battery disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-85847 is known. As shown in FIG. 10, the collective sealed secondary battery 61 accommodates a power generation element in a battery case 63 formed in a bottomed rectangular cylindrical shape, and the opening of the battery case 63 is sealed with a lid 64. A plurality of the unit cells 62 are arranged in series, and the battery case 63 of the unit cells 62 is connected in a tightened state by the end plate 65 and the restraining band 66, and the positive terminal 67 and the negative terminal 68 of each unit cell 62 are connected. And the terminals 67 and 68 are sequentially connected in series by an electric connection bar 69.
[0003]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-215804 discloses a monoblock storage battery in which a plastic battery case and a lid are heat-welded, and indented spaces are formed on the outer surfaces of two opposite side walls of the battery case, respectively. A side plate is thermally welded to form a cooling jacket portion between the side wall and the side plate of the battery case, and an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice for the cooling liquid are provided at the upper portions of both end portions of the side plate. Further, in the cooling jacket portion, straightening ridges are alternately projected from the upper end surface and the lower end surface so as to form a meandering flow passage, and further, the upper end and upper end surface of the straightening ridge hanging from the upper end surface. An air escape port of about 1 to 3 mm is formed between them.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the collective sealed secondary battery disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-85847, each single battery is closely arranged and tightened. Therefore, when the ambient temperature is high or when charging / discharging with a large current, Is not sufficiently dissipated, and there is a problem that the battery temperature rises and the battery life decreases.
[0005]
On the other hand, in the storage battery disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-215804, since both sides of the battery case are cooled by the water cooling jacket portion, the temperature rise can be suppressed to some extent, and a meandering flow passage is formed in the water cooling jacket portion. As a result, the entire side surface of the battery case can be cooled substantially uniformly, and an air escape hole is formed at the corner where the upper end wall of the water cooling jacket and the straightening ridge are connected. Although it can be suppressed to some extent that the cooling capacity is lowered due to the air pool generated in the section, there is a problem that the battery temperature rises because the cooling between the single cells cannot be performed as described above.
[0006]
As a result of the research by the present inventor, in order to solve the problem of the collective sealed secondary battery disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-85847, a space is provided between the single cells. When it is configured in combination with the disclosed water cooling jacket portion and the space portion is configured as a cooling passage, the flow of the cooling medium stagnate particularly in the upper end wall of the water cooling jacket portion and the corner of the rectifying ridge. It has been found that since the accumulation tends to occur, the deterioration of the cooling performance due to the occurrence of the air accumulation becomes a further obstacle. Further, it has also been found that it is difficult to quickly discharge the air along the flow of the cooling medium simply by providing a small air vent at the corner, and it is not easy to eliminate the obstacle.
[0007]
In view of the above-described conventional problems, the present invention can provide a space portion serving as a cooling passage between the single cells to effectively cool each single cell to prevent the temperature from rising, and meander the water refrigerant passages on both sides. It is an object of the present invention to provide a collective sealed secondary battery that prevents an air pool from being generated in a flow path and thereby reducing a cooling capacity.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The collective sealed secondary battery of the present invention has a plurality of cells arranged in series in which a power generation element is housed in a bottomed rectangular tube-shaped battery case and its opening is sealed, and the cells are arranged between the cells. In a collective sealed secondary battery having a space, a cooling medium passage is provided on both sides of the unit cell arrangement direction, and a rectifying ridge is projected so as to form a serpentine flow passage in the cooling medium passage. And an air escape port is formed between the upper end of the straightening ridge suspended from the upper end of the cooling medium passage and the upper end wall of the cooling medium passage, and the space between the single cells is the cooling medium on both sides. By providing a cooling medium passage that communicates between the passages, each unit cell can be effectively cooled to prevent the temperature from rising, and the space between the unit cells serves as a cooling medium passage, so that the upper end of the rectifying ridge And air tends to collect in the corner between the cooling medium passage and the upper end wall of the cooling medium passage. However, since the air moves to the meandering flow passage on the downstream side through the air escape port and is finally discharged from the cooling medium passage, an air pool is generated in the meandering passage and the cooling capacity is reduced. Can be reliably prevented.
[0009]
In addition, if an inclined surface that is inclined toward the side is formed at least on the portion of the upper end wall of the cooling medium passage that faces the air escape port, even if air accumulates in the corner portion, the inclined surface passes through the air escape port. Can be moved to the center side of the meandering flow passage, so that it moves on the downstream side with the strong flow of the cooling medium flowing through the meandering flow passage, an air pool is generated in the meandering flow passage, and the cooling capacity is reduced. Can be more reliably prevented.
[0010]
In addition, when an inclined surface inclined upward from the inlet end to the outlet end of the cooling medium passage is formed on the upper end wall of the cooling medium passage, the air sequentially passes through the air escape port along the inclined surface. It is discharged smoothly to the exit end of the passage.
[0011]
Also, if the height of the upper end of the straightening ridge is made substantially the same height and the opening area of the air escape port is increased sequentially from the inlet end to the outlet end of the cooling medium passage, the air is more likely to flow out toward the downstream side. Thus, the air can be discharged more smoothly, and it can be reliably prevented that the air capacity is generated and the cooling capacity is lowered.
[0012]
Further, even if an inclined surface is formed on the upper end wall of the cooling medium passage so as to incline upward from the portion facing each air escape port toward both sides, the air can be discharged smoothly.
[0013]
Further, if the inclination angle of the inclined surface with respect to the horizontal plane is 3 to 5 ° and the vertical width of the air escape hole is 3 to 5 mm, the inclined surface is accumulated at the corner between the upper end of the straightening ridge and the upper end wall of the cooling medium passage. Therefore, it is possible to reliably move the air to the center side of the meandering flow passage and prevent the cooling capacity from being lowered due to the occurrence of air pool.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the collective sealed secondary battery of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0015]
The collective sealed secondary battery 1 of the present embodiment is a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery that can be suitably used as a drive power source for an electric vehicle. As shown in FIGS. They are arranged in series and joined together to form an integrated battery case, end plates 6 are joined to both ends of the unit cell row, and flat spaces are formed on both sides of the unit cells 2 and end plates 6 with respect to the arrangement direction. A plate-shaped cooling jacket member 3 formed in a recess is joined, a single lid body 5 is joined thereon, each cell 2 and the end plate 6 are sealed, and a restraint band 7 is provided between the end plates 6 and 6. The structure is tightened. Reference numeral 8 denotes a terminal mounting hole formed in the lid body 5 so that a positive electrode terminal or a negative electrode terminal protruding upward from the unit cell 2 at one end and the other end penetrates, and 9 denotes a lid body 5 corresponding to each unit cell 2. It is a safety valve mounting hole formed in the through hole. Reference numerals 10 and 11 denote an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice for the cooling medium, which are integrally attached to both ends of the lid 5. The unit cell 2, the cooling jacket member 3, the lid 5, the end plate 6, the inlet orifice 10, the outlet orifice 11 and the like are made of synthetic resin such as PP / PPE alloy and are integrally joined to each other by welding. . Moreover, the adjacent unit cells 2 and 2 are electrically connected by the connection body 12, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG.
[0016]
Hereinafter, in detail, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the unit cell 2 is configured by housing a power generation element 15 in a bottomed rectangular cylindrical battery case 14, and arranging the unit cells 2 in series. In this state, a large number of protrusions 17 that are in contact with each other are provided in a matrix on the opposing wall surface 16 of the battery case 14 that are opposed to each other, and the cooling medium passage is formed between the opposing wall surfaces 16 and 16 by these protrusions 17. A space 18 is formed. An end plate 6 is applied to and joined to the opposing wall surface 16 outside the unit cells 2 at both ends of the cell array, and a space 18 is also formed between the end plate 6 and the opposing wall surface 16. . In addition, a plurality of (17 in the illustrated example) projections 17 at appropriate locations are formed with a large diameter, and engagement projections 19a and engagement recesses 19b that are fitted and engaged with each other are formed on the end surfaces of the projections 17 to each other. Positioning has been made. Further, a joining edge portion 20 that protrudes from the upper end of the battery case 14 at an appropriate distance below and the lower end edge protrudes from each other. Then, the unit cells 2 are integrally joined as an integrated battery case by welding the protrusions 17 and the joining edge portions 20 that are in contact with each other in a state where the unit cells 2 are arranged in series.
[0017]
A cooling medium passage 21 is formed in a space formed between the unit cells 2 and the inner surface of the water cooling jacket member 3 on both sides of the unit cells 2 in the arrangement direction. Further, a distribution header forming rod 22 for distributing the cooling medium (water) is formed on the upper edge of the end plate 6 so as to communicate with the cooling medium passages 21 on both sides.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, adjacent unit cells 2 are electrically connected to the upper frame 26 above the joint edge 20 above the battery case 14 of each unit cell 2 that is an integrated battery case. The substantially triangular cutouts 13 for arranging the connection bodies 12 to be connected to each other are formed in a staggered manner, and the connection bodies 12 are integrally joined to the battery case 14 and the lid body 5 in a sealed state while being arranged in the cutouts 13. Has been.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the connection body 12 includes a connection shaft 27 made of metal (such as nickel) and a support body 28 made of synthetic resin, and the connection shaft 27 holds the support body 28. The tube portion 29 is penetrated in a press-fit state, and is completely sealed by an O-ring 31 interposed between the flange portion 27a of the connection shaft 27 and the inner periphery of the holding tube portion 29. Further, a pair of triangular wings 30 project from the holding cylinder 29 on the support 28 and are configured to be joined to the upper frame 26 when the connecting body 12 is disposed in the notch 13. .
[0020]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the cover 5 has an individual frame 32 formed on the inner surface so as to correspond to the upper frame 26 of each battery case 14, and an inverted L-shaped cross section on the outer periphery. The outer peripheral frame 33 hangs down, and sealing ridges 34 are formed on both ends in the longitudinal direction, which are joined to the upper end of the distribution header forming rod 22 to form the distribution header 35 in a sealed manner.
[0021]
In addition, a terminal mounting hole 8 is formed on one side of both ends of the lid 5, and a joining protrusion 36 that joins the inlet orifice 10 and the outlet orifice 11 is provided on the other side. These orifices 10 and 11 are configured by projecting a connection port 38 from the tip of the short side of the J-shaped box piece 37 whose plane shape is substantially J-shaped and whose lower surface is open. In addition, a communication opening 39 that communicates with the distribution header 35 is formed at a portion of the lid 5 that faces the front end of the long side of the J-shaped box piece 37.
[0022]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, on the inner surfaces of both side walls of the cooling jacket member 3, straightening ridges forming a meandering flow passage 40 that meanders up and down so that the cooling medium flows evenly over the entire surface of the cooling medium passage 21. 41 is protrudingly provided. In addition, an air escape port 43 is formed between the upper end 41 a of the rectifying ridge 41 suspended from the upper end portion of the cooling jacket portion 21 and the upper end wall 42 of the cooling jacket portion 21. Further, the upper end wall 42 of the cooling medium passage 21 is set such that the thickness t2 on the outlet end 21b side is smaller than the thickness t1 on the inlet end 21a side. An inclined surface 44 that is inclined upward from 21a toward the outlet end 21b is formed. On the other hand, the height positions of the upper ends 41a of the respective straightening ridges 41 suspended from the upper end portion of the cooling medium passage 21 are substantially the same height, so that the height dimension of the air escape port 43 is the height of the cooling medium passage 21. From the inlet end 21a toward the outlet end 21b, it gradually increases like d1, d2, d3, d4. d3 to d4 are preferably about 3 to 5 mm. The rectifying ridge 41 may be provided on the battery case 14 side of the unit cell 2.
[0023]
In the collective sealed secondary battery 1 having the above configuration, when the cooling medium is supplied from the inlet orifice 10, it flows into the cooling medium passages 21 on both sides through the distribution header 35, and the inside of the cooling medium passage 21 is set downstream. And flows between the cooling medium passages 21 and 21 through the space 18 between the unit cells 2, and all side surfaces including the opposing wall surface 16 of the battery case 14 of the unit cell 2 are the cooling medium. After forced cooling, the cooling medium is then discharged from the outlet orifice 11. Therefore, the four side surfaces of all the unit cells 2 are effectively cooled by the cooling medium.
[0024]
In the cooling medium passage 21, even if air accumulates at the corner between the upper end 41 a and the upper end wall 42 of the flow straightening ridge 41, the airflow passage 44 passes through the air escape port 43 and the meandering flow passage 44. The air that has moved to the center side, moved to the downstream side by riding the strong flow of the cooling medium flowing through the meandering flow passage 40, and the air that did not get on the flow passes through the air escape port 43 along the inclined surface 44 in order. It is smoothly discharged to the outlet end 21b of the passage 21. Furthermore, since the height dimension of the air escape port 43 is sequentially increased from the inlet end 21a of the cooling medium passage 21 toward the outlet end 21b as d1 to d4, the opening size of the air escape port 43 is sequentially increased. The air flows out more easily toward the downstream side, and is more smoothly discharged from the cooling medium passage 21. Thus, it is possible to surely prevent the cooling capacity from being reduced due to the occurrence of air accumulation in the meandering flow passage 40.
[0025]
Further, in the present embodiment, the unit cells 2 are welded and integrally joined to each other to form an integrated battery case, and the integrated lid body 5 is welded and sealed to the opening, so that the number of parts is small. As a result, it is possible to obtain the collective sealed secondary battery 1 as an integrated battery case in the number of assembly steps, and to form a protrusion 17 on the opposing wall surface 16 of the battery case 14 of each unit cell 2 to contact the protrusion 17 Since they are welded to each other, the cooling medium passage 18 over the substantially entire surface between the opposing wall surfaces 16 and 16 can be formed easily and inexpensively.
[0026]
Further, since the cooling medium passage 21 is formed by joining the compact plate-like cooling jacket members 3 to both sides of the unit cell row, it is possible to reduce the weight.
[0027]
In addition, an inlet orifice 10 and an outlet orifice 11 for supplying and discharging the cooling medium to and from the cooling medium passage 21 are arranged at both ends in the unit cell arrangement direction, and the cooling medium passages 21 on both sides via the distribution header 35 are arranged. Therefore, it is possible to effectively cool the entire circumference of all the unit cells 2 in combination with the above-described configuration through a single cooling medium path.
[0028]
In the configuration example of the cooling medium passage 21, the inclined surface 44 is formed on the upper end wall 42 so as to incline from the inlet end 21a to the outlet end 21b. However, as shown in FIG. An inclined surface 44 may be formed on the upper end wall 42 so as to incline upward from the portion facing each air escape port 43 toward both sides. Also in this case, the air accumulated in the corner between the upper end wall 42 of the cooling medium passage 21 and the upper end 41a of the flow straightening ridge 41 can be reliably moved to the center side of the meandering passage 40, and the cooling medium It is possible to discharge the air in a strong flow, and it is possible to prevent an air pool from being generated and a cooling capacity from being lowered. In addition, about 3-5 mm is suitable for the height dimension of the air escape port 43, and about 3-5 degrees of inclination angles (theta) with respect to the horizontal surface of the inclined surface 43 are suitable.
[0029]
Next, another embodiment of the collective sealed secondary battery of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the above embodiment, the cover 5 is covered on the end plate 6 and the inlet orifice 10 and the outlet orifice 11 are provided on the cover 5. However, in the present embodiment, the cover 5 is only on the unit cell 2 group. The distribution header portion 52 is integrally provided at the upper end portions of the end plates 6 at both ends, the inlet orifice 10 and the outlet orifice 11 project from the upper surface thereof, and the internal cooling is provided at the upper end portions at both ends of the cooling jacket member 3. A connecting portion 53 that connects the medium passage 21 to both ends of the distribution header portion 52 is bent. Further, the hatched portions in FIG. 9 are the assembly of the unit cells 2 and the welded portion 54 of the cooling jacket member 3.
[0030]
Also in this embodiment, the same operation effect as the above embodiment can be basically obtained.
[0031]
Moreover, although the example which integrally bonds each structural member by welding was shown in the said embodiment, you may integrally bond with an adhesive material.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
According to the collective sealed secondary battery of the present invention, as is apparent from the above description, a unit cell in which a power generation element is accommodated in a bottomed rectangular cylindrical battery case and its opening is sealed. A plurality of cells are arranged in series with a space between them, and a cooling medium passage is arranged on both sides of the arrangement direction of the single cells, and rectification is performed so that a meandering flow passage is formed in the cooling medium passage. An air vent is formed between the upper end of the straightening ridge hanging from the upper end of the cooling medium passage and the upper end wall of the cooling medium passage so that the space between the unit cells is cooled on both sides. By providing a cooling medium passage that communicates between the medium passages, each cell can be effectively cooled to prevent its temperature from rising, and the corner between the upper end of the straightening ridge and the upper end wall of the cooling medium passage Even if air easily collects in the air, the air passes through the air escape port and the downstream snake Go to passage, is exhausted from the final cooling medium passages, the cooling capacity air pocket occurs serpentine flow path can be reliably prevented.
[0033]
In addition, if an inclined surface that is inclined toward the side is formed at least on the portion of the upper end wall of the cooling medium passage that faces the air escape port, even if air accumulates in the corner portion, the inclined surface passes through the air escape port. Can be moved to the center side of the meandering flow passage, so that it moves on the downstream side with the strong flow of the cooling medium flowing through the meandering flow passage, an air pool is generated in the meandering flow passage, and the cooling capacity is reduced. Can be more reliably prevented.
[0034]
In addition, when an inclined surface inclined upward from the inlet end to the outlet end of the cooling medium passage is formed on the upper end wall of the cooling medium passage, the air sequentially passes through the air escape port along the inclined surface. It is discharged smoothly to the exit end of the passage.
[0035]
Also, if the height of the upper end of the straightening ridge is made substantially the same height and the opening area of the air escape port is increased sequentially from the inlet end to the outlet end of the cooling medium passage, the air is more likely to flow out toward the downstream side. Thus, the air can be discharged more smoothly, and it can be reliably prevented that the air capacity is generated and the cooling capacity is lowered.
[0036]
Further, even if an inclined surface is formed on the upper end wall of the cooling medium passage so as to incline upward from the portion facing each air escape port toward both sides, the air can be discharged smoothly.
[0037]
Further, if the inclination angle of the inclined surface with respect to the horizontal plane is 3 to 5 ° and the vertical width of the air escape hole is 3 to 5 mm, the inclined surface is accumulated at the corner between the upper end of the straightening ridge and the upper end wall of the cooling medium passage. Therefore, it is possible to reliably move the air to the center side of the meandering flow passage and prevent the cooling capacity from being lowered due to the occurrence of air pool.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an embodiment of a collective sealed secondary battery of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a partially longitudinal front view of the same embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of an upper end portion of the unit cell group of the same embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the electrical connection body of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lid according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration in a cooling medium passage according to the embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another configuration example in the cooling medium passage of the same embodiment;
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the collective sealed secondary battery of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a front view of a collective sealed secondary battery of a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Collective type | mold sealed secondary battery 2 Single cell 18 Space part 21 Cooling medium channel | path 21a Inlet end 21b Outlet end 40 Meandering channel | path 41 Upper end 42 Upper end wall 43 Air escape port 44 Inclined surface

Claims

有底矩形筒形状の電槽内に発電要素を収容してその開口部を封止して成る単電池を複数個直列配置し、それら単電池間に空間部を設けた集合型密閉二次電池において、単電池の配置方向に対してその両側に冷却媒体通路を配設するとともに、冷却媒体通路に蛇行流通路を形成するように整流突条を突設し、冷却媒体通路の上端部から垂下される整流突条の上端と冷却媒体通路の上端壁との間に空気逃がし口を形成したことを特徴とする集合型密閉二次電池。A collective hermetic secondary battery in which a plurality of unit cells are arranged in series in which a power generation element is housed in a bottomed rectangular cylindrical battery case and the opening is sealed, and a space is provided between the unit cells. , A cooling medium passage is provided on both sides of the unit cell arrangement direction, a rectifying ridge is provided so as to form a meandering flow passage in the cooling medium passage, and is suspended from the upper end of the cooling medium passage. A collective sealed secondary battery, wherein an air escape port is formed between the upper end of the straightening ridge and the upper end wall of the cooling medium passage.

冷却媒体通路の上端壁の少なくとも空気逃がし口に対向する部分にその側方に向けて傾斜する傾斜面を形成したことを特徴とする請求項１記載の集合型密閉二次電池。2. The collective sealed secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein an inclined surface inclined toward the side is formed in at least a portion of the upper end wall of the cooling medium passage facing the air escape port.

冷却媒体通路の上端壁に、冷却媒体通路の入口端から出口端に向けて上方に傾斜する傾斜面を形成したことを特徴とする請求項１記載の集合型密閉二次電池。2. The collective sealed secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein an inclined surface that is inclined upward from the inlet end to the outlet end of the cooling medium passage is formed on an upper end wall of the cooling medium passage.

整流突条の上端の高さ位置を略同一高さにし、空気逃がし口の開口面積を冷却媒体通路の入口端から出口端に向けて順次大きくしたことを特徴とする請求項１記載の集合型密閉二次電池。2. The collective die according to claim 1, wherein the height of the upper end of the straightening ridge is substantially the same height, and the opening area of the air escape port is sequentially increased from the inlet end to the outlet end of the cooling medium passage. Sealed secondary battery.

冷却媒体通路の上端壁に、各空気逃がし口に対向する部分から両側に向けて上方に傾斜する傾斜面を形成したことを特徴とする請求項１記載の集合型密閉二次電池。2. The collective sealed secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein an inclined surface is formed on the upper end wall of the cooling medium passage so as to incline upward toward both sides from a portion facing each air escape port.

傾斜面の水平面に対する傾斜角は３〜５°としたことを特徴とする請求項２、３又は５に記載の集合型密閉二次電池。6. The collective sealed secondary battery according to claim 2, 3 or 5, wherein an inclination angle of the inclined surface with respect to a horizontal plane is 3 to 5 °.

空気逃がし口の上下幅が３〜５ｍｍであることを特徴とする請求項１〜６の何れかに記載の集合型密閉二次電池。The collective sealed secondary battery according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the vertical width of the air escape port is 3 to 5 mm.