JP3998496B2 - Electric double layer capacitor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric double layer capacitor for ensuring cooling characteristics of a capacitor unit including a control board and the like. <P>SOLUTION: The electric double layer capacitor includes a capacitor cell 1 in which a plurality of positive and negative electrodes and separators are stored along with an electrolytic solution in a bag-shaped soft case, a capacitor module 20 in which the plurality of capacitor cells 1 arranged in a heat-radiating hard case 21 are stored, and a control box in which a control board 42 for charging or discharging each capacitor cell 1 is stored. The heat-radiating hard case 21 is projected under the control box 41 so that the heat-radiating hard case 21 is exposed to the outside air. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement of an electric double layer capacitor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, electric double layer capacitors that can be rapidly charged and have a long charge / discharge cycle life have attracted attention as power storage devices used in, for example, hybrid vehicles and wind power generation facilities.
[0003]
As this type of electric double layer capacitor, a capacitor module in which a plurality of capacitor cells are arranged in a hard case is provided, and the capacitor module is used as a unit together with a control circuit board.
[0004]
As a conventional capacitor cell, there is one in which a laminated body in which a plurality of positive and negative electrode bodies and a separator interposed therebetween are stacked together with an electrolytic solution in a bag-like soft case (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 3). -203331).
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since it is difficult for the capacitor module to ensure the heat dissipation of the capacitor cell housed in the hard case, for example, a cooling device that circulates the refrigerant around the capacitor module via an electric fan or the like is required. There has been a problem of increasing complexity and size.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric double layer capacitor capable of ensuring the cooling performance of a capacitor unit including a control board and the like.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a capacitor cell in which a laminate of a plurality of positive electrode bodies, negative electrode bodies and separators is housed in a bag-like soft case together with an electrolyte, and a plurality of capacitor cells arranged in a heat dissipation hard case. A capacitor box and a control box that houses a control board that charges or discharges each capacitor cell. The heat dissipation hard case protrudes below the control box, and the heat dissipation hard case is exposed to outside air. radiating fins protruding is formed on, Dennetsuwaku for holding the heat dissipating fin is disposed between the soft case and the heat radiating hard case, compressed in the heat transfer frame to each other adjacent to each other in close contact with the heat radiation fins by elastic deformation At the same time, the structure is in close contact with the heat dissipation hard case .
[0008]
According to a second invention, in the first invention, a plurality of capacitor modules are provided side by side with respect to the control box.
[0009]
Operation and effect of the invention
In the first invention, since the heat dissipation hard case protrudes below the control box and is exposed to the outside air to the heat dissipation hard case, each capacitor cell is sufficiently cooled, so that the refrigerant is circulated around the capacitor module. This eliminates the need for a cooling device, and simplifies the structure.
[0010]
In the second invention, by providing a plurality of capacitor modules side by side with respect to the control box, it is possible to achieve both cooling of each capacitor module and downsizing of the device.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0012]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, (a) and (b), a plurality of electric double layer capacitor cells 1 are housed in a line in a heat radiating hard case 21, thereby forming a single capacitor module 20. Is done.
[0013]
The soft case 5 is formed by combining two flexible laminated sheets 6 and 7 into a bag shape.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 3, the soft case 5 is formed with heat dissipating fins 5 a having a rectangular band shape by welding the flange portions 6 a and 7 a. The heat dissipating fins 5a are formed larger than the width necessary for welding the flange portions 6a and 7a, and function to release heat generated in the multilayer body of the capacitor cell 1.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 4, a heat transfer frame 15 that sandwiches the heat radiating fins 5 a of the soft case 5 is provided as a heat conductor. The heat transfer frame 15 has a U shape extending along the three sides of the radiation fin 5a.
[0016]
The capacitor cell 1 is accommodated in the heat radiating hard case 21 through the heat transfer frame 15. The heat transfer frame 15 is made of a composite material in which a metal powder such as aluminum is mixed with an elastic resin material such as silicon. The heat transfer frame 15 transmits heat generated in the laminated body of the capacitor cell 1 from the heat radiation fin 5a to the heat radiation hard case 21, and heat radiation. The capacitor cell 1 is elastically supported with respect to the hard case 21, and the capacitor cell 1 is insulated with respect to the heat radiating hard case 21.
[0017]
The heat transfer frame 15 is supported by the slits 15a for sandwiching the heat radiation fins 5a, a pair of flange portions 15b joined to the side portions of the soft case 5, a pair of sandwiching portions 15c for compressing the slits 15a, and the heat radiation hard case 21. These support portions 15d are formed by integral molding. A plurality of heat transfer frames may be formed integrally.
[0018]
The heat transfer frame 15 is compressed between the adjacent heat transfer frames 15 and elastically deformed, so that the flange portion 15b and the slit 15a are in close contact with the side portion of the soft case 5 and the radiating fin 5a without any gap, and the support The part 15d is structured to be in close contact with the heat radiating hard case 21 without a gap.
[0019]
In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the heat transfer frame is not limited to this, and may be formed in a substantially rectangular shape having a slit opened therein, for example.
[0020]
Further, the heat transfer frame is not limited to the U-shape extending along the three sides of the radiating fin, but may be formed in a rectangular frame shape extending along the four sides of the radiating fin. Furthermore, the heat transfer frame may be divided and formed for every four sides of the heat radiation fin.
[0021]
The heat radiating hard case 21 is made of, for example, a metal having high thermal conductivity such as an aluminum material, and functions to release the heat of each capacitor cell 1 to the outside air.
[0022]
A pressure mechanism 30 is provided at the center of the capacitor module 20. When each capacitor cell 1 is pressed against each other by the pressurizing mechanism 30, the density of the activated carbon layer constituting the positive electrode body 2 and the negative electrode body 3 is increased to increase the charge / discharge efficiency, and the capacitor cell 1 is hardened without a gap. The capacitor cell 1 is compressed and held so as not to be displaced by vibration or impact.
[0023]
The pressurizing mechanism 30 is provided at a position that equally divides the plurality of capacitor cells 1, pressurizes the plurality of capacitor cells 1 with one end of the heat radiating hard case 21, and A plurality of capacitor cells 1 are pressurized between them. As described above, the configuration in which one pressurizing mechanism 30 pressurizes two capacitor cell groups 1 makes it possible to pressurize many capacitor cells 1 by one pressurizing mechanism 30, and pressurization provided in the capacitor module 20. The number of mechanisms 30 can be reduced.
[0024]
The pressurizing mechanism is not limited to the position where each capacitor cell is equally divided, and may be provided at a position where each capacitor cell is divided at a predetermined ratio as necessary.
[0025]
The pressurizing mechanism 30 includes a stopper plate 31 fixed to the upper portion of the heat radiating hard case 21, and push plates 32 and 33 which are surrounded by the stopper plate 31 and the heat radiating hard case 21 and are slidable in the column direction of the capacitor cell 1. And a disc spring 34 for urging the push plates 32 and 33 in a direction away from each other, a set bolt 35 for supporting the disc spring 34, and the like.
[0026]
Resin guide members 35 are attached to the end portions of the push plates 32 and 33. When the guide member 35 is in sliding contact with the stopper plate 31 and the heat radiating hard case 21, the push plates 32 and 33 slide smoothly.
[0027]
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the capacitor unit 40. The capacitor unit 40 includes an upper and lower control box 41 in which a control board 42 is accommodated, and six capacitor modules 20 suspended from each control box 41. The heat radiation hard case 21 of each capacitor module 20 is exposed to outside air. It is exposed and provided.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 6, the control box 41 is formed in a box shape by a base plate 43, a cover 44, and the like. The control board 42 is supported on the base plate 43 via the insulating support member 45.
[0029]
Three capacitor modules 20 are provided side by side under one control box 41. Four base plates 43 are disposed between and at the end portions of the three heat radiating hard cases 21. Six rods (not shown) that pass through each base plate 43 and the heat radiating hard case 21 and fasten them are provided. Each heat dissipation hard case 21 is suspended from the control box 41 via each base plate 43. An under guard 47 is provided around each of the heat dissipation hard cases 21 arranged in the lower stage to protect them.
[0030]
The heat radiating hard cases 21 are arranged in parallel with a predetermined interval. When the capacitor unit 40 is mounted on a vehicle, the heat dissipating hard cases 21 are arranged so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and traveling wind (outside air) is uniformly applied to the heat dissipating hard cases 21.
[0031]
A plurality of bus bars 51 are provided side by side between the three capacitor modules 20 and the control board 42. The terminal plates 9 and 10 of the capacitor cell 1 that can be accommodated in the three capacitor modules 20 are connected to the bus bars 51, and the three capacitor cells 1 are coupled in parallel across the capacitor modules 20. A plurality of capacitor cells 1 contained within are coupled in series.
[0032]
The heat generated in the capacitor cell 1 as it is charged and discharged is transferred from the heat dissipation fin 5a of the soft case 5 to the heat dissipation hard case 21 via the heat transfer frame 15, and escaped from the heat dissipation hard case 21 to the outside air. It is.
[0033]
Since the heat radiation hard case 21 protrudes below the control box 41 and is exposed to the heat radiation hard case 21, each capacitor cell 1 is sufficiently cooled. Therefore, a cooling device that circulates the refrigerant is not required, and the structure can be simplified.
[0034]
By providing the three capacitor modules 20 side by side with respect to the control box 41, it is possible to ensure both the cooling performance of each capacitor module 20 and the size reduction of the capacitor unit 40.
[0035]
It is possible to provide four or more capacitor modules 20 side by side with respect to the control box 41.
[0036]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a capacitor module showing an embodiment of the present invention.
2A is a plan view of the capacitor module, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the capacitor module.
3A is an exploded perspective view of the capacitor cell, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the capacitor cell.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heat transfer frame.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the capacitor unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Capacitor Cell 5 Soft Case 15 Heat Transfer Frame 20 Capacitor Module 21 Heat Dissipation Hard Case 41 Control Box 42 Control Board

Claims (2)

A capacitor cell in which a laminate of a plurality of positive electrodes, negative electrodes, and separators is housed in a bag-like soft case together with an electrolyte, a capacitor module in which a plurality of capacitor cells are arranged in a heat radiating hard case, And a control box that accommodates a control board that charges or discharges the capacitor cell. The heat dissipation hard case protrudes below the control box, and the heat dissipation hard case is exposed to outside air. formed, Dennetsuwaku that sandwich the heat dissipating fin is in close contact with the heat radiation hard case with close contact with the heat radiation fins by placed between the soft case and the heat radiating hard case, compressed in the heat transfer frame to each other adjacent and elastically deformed An electric double layer capacitor, characterized in that The electric double layer capacitor according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of capacitor modules are provided side by side with respect to the control box.

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