초록 ▼

A battery power source device is provided for supplying high electric power used for a drive power source for a vehicle. The battery power source device includes a battery box for storing a plurality of batteries arranged in a connected state in a battery storage room, an inlet opening for introduci

A battery power source device is provided for supplying high electric power used for a drive power source for a vehicle. The battery power source device includes a battery box for storing a plurality of batteries arranged in a connected state in a battery storage room, an inlet opening for introducing a temperature control medium into the battery storage room, an outlet opening for discharging the medium from the battery storage room to the outside, a medium circulation passage for leading the medium discharged from the outlet opening to the inlet opening for feeding into the battery storage room again, and a medium transport device for forcing the medium flow.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A battery power source device comprising:a battery box having a battery storage room storing a plurality of batteries arranged in a connected state, and an external outlet passage for temperature control medium;the battery storage room having an inlet opening for introducing the temperature contr

1. A battery power source device comprising:a battery box having a battery storage room storing a plurality of batteries arranged in a connected state, and an external outlet passage for temperature control medium;the battery storage room having an inlet opening for introducing the temperature control medium into said battery storage room from outside of said battery storage room;an outlet opening for discharging said medium from said battery storage room to the outside;a medium circulation passage for leading said medium discharged from the battery storage room through said outlet opening to said inlet opening to feed into said battery storage room, said medium circulation passage being substantially absent thermal exchange devices and thermal input other than heat generated by said plurality of batteries;a medium transport device for forcing said medium to flow;a selector valve mechanism switching a path of the temperature control medium discharged from the outlet opening either to the external outlet passage or the medium circulation passage; anda controller controlling the selector valve mechanism. 2. The battery power source device according to claim 1, wherein the controller includes a function for controlling to switch the medium transport device so as to reverse the flow direction of the medium. 3. The battery power source device according to claim 2, further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of a predetermined battery in the battery storage room, or a temperature of the medium at a predetermined point in the battery storage room, whereinthe controller controls to switch the medium transport device in accordance with the temperature detected by said temperature sensor. 4. A battery power source device, comprising:a battery box having a battery storage room storing a plurality of batteries arranged in a connected state, and an external outlet passage for temperature control medium;the battery storage room having an inlet opening for introducing the temperature control medium into said battery storage room from outside of said battery storage room;an outlet opening for discharging said medium from said battery storage room to the outside;a medium circulation passage for leading said medium discharged from the battery storage room through said outlet opening to said inlet opening to feed into said battery storage room, said medium circulation passage being substantially absent thermal exchange devices and thermal input other than heat generated by said plurality of batteries;a medium transport device for forcing said medium to flow;a selector valve mechanism switching a path of the temperature control medium discharged from the outlet opening either to the external outlet passage or the medium circulation passage;a controller controlling the selector valve mechanism;said battery box having an external inlet passage; andanother selector valve mechanism for switching so as to selectively lead either the temperature control medium introduced from the external inlet passage, or the medium introduced from the medium circulation passage into the battery storage room, whereinthe controller controls to switch the two selector valve mechanisms in conjunction with each other. 5. A battery power source device, comprising:a housing having a battery storage compartment storing batteries;said battery storage compartment defining a first port and a second port for accepting and discharging a heat transfer medium into and out of said battery storage compartment, at least a first battery of said batteries being closer to said first port than said second port, and at least a second battery of said batteries being closer to said second port than said first port;first and second temperature sensors respectively associated with said first and second batteries;a medium transport device bi-directionally transporting said heat transfer medium in a first direction from said first port to said second port and a second di rection from said second port to said first port; anda controller receiving input from said first and second temperature sensors and controlling said medium transport device to selectively transport said heat transfer medium in one of said first and second directions based on a temperature differential between respective temperatures measured by said first and second temperature sensors. 6. A battery power source device, comprising:a housing having a battery storage compartment storing batteries;said battery storage compartment defining a first port and a second port for accepting and discharging a heat transfer medium into and out of said battery storage compartment, at least a first battery of said batteries being closer to said first port than said second port, and at least a second battery of said batteries being closer to said second port than said first port;first and second temperature sensors respectively associated with said first and second batteries;a medium transport device bi-directionally transporting said heat transfer medium in a first direction from said first port to said second port and a second direction from said second port to said first port;a controller receiving input from said first and second temperature sensors and controlling said medium transport device to selectively transport said heat transfer medium in one of said first and second directions based on a temperature differential between respective temperatures measured by said first and second temperature sensors;a re-circulation duct for directing said heat transfer medium between said first and second ports to distribute heat produced by said batteries amongst said batteries; andsaid controller switching between said first and second directions when said temperature differential exceeds a predetermined limit to effect uniform heating of said batteries by redirecting flow of said heat transfer medium to said first port when said first temperature sensor measures a higher temperature than said second temperature sensor, and to said second port when said second temperature sensor measures a higher temperature than said first temperature sensor. 7. The battery power source device of claim 6, wherein said re-circulation duct is substantially devoid of thermal exchange devices. 8. The battery power source device of claim 7, further comprising:a third port for accepting and discharging said heat transfer medium,a third port valve disposable in a first position connecting said first port with said third port and a second position connecting said first port with said re-circulation duct;andsaid controller controlling said third port valve based on output from said first and second temperature sensors. 9. The battery power source device of claim 8, wherein said controller detects a temperature measured by one of said first and second temperature sensors is below a predetermined level and, in response thereto, sets said third port valve in said second position thereby directing said heat transfer medium from said second port to said first port via said re-circulation duct, and sets said medium transport device to transport said heat transfer medium from said first port to said second port. 10. The battery power source device of claim 9 further comprising:a fourth port for accepting and discharging said heat transfer medium;a fourth port valve disposable in a first position connecting said second port with said fourth port and a second position connecting said second port with said re-circulation duct; andsaid controller setting said fourth port valve in said second position thereby directing said heat transfer medium from said second port to said first port via said re-circulation duct in response to detecting the temperature measured by one of said first and second temperature sensors is below said predetermined level. 11. The battery power source device of claim 10, wherein said controller detects a temperature measured by one of said first and second temperature sensors is above a predetermined level and, in response thereto, sets said third port valve in said first position and sets said fourth port valve in said first position. 12. The battery power source device of claim 11, wherein said housing defines said re-circulation duct. 13. The battery power source device of claim 12, wherein said housing defines said third and fourth ports. 14. The battery power source device of claim 11, wherein said housing defines said third and fourth ports. 15. The battery power source device of claim 10, wherein said housing defines said re-circulation duct. 16. The battery power source device of claim 15, wherein said housing defines said third and fourth ports. 17. The battery power source device of claim 10, wherein said housing defines said third and fourth ports. 18. The battery power source device of claim 9, wherein said housing defines said re-circulation duct. 19. The battery power source device of claim 18, wherein said housing defines said third port. 20. The battery power source device of claim 9, wherein said housing defines said third port. 21. The battery power source device of claim 8, wherein said housing defines said re-circulation duct. 22. The battery power source device of claim 21, wherein said housing defines said third port. 23. The battery power source device of claim 8, wherein said housing defines said third port. 24. The battery power source device of claim 7, wherein said housing defines said re-circulation duct. 25. The battery power source device of claim 6, wherein said housing defines said re-circulation duct. 26. The battery power source device of claim 6, further comprising:a third port for accepting and discharging said heat transfer medium;a third port valve disposable in a first position connecting said first port with said third port and a second position connecting said first port with said re-circulation duct;andsaid controller controlling said third port valve based on output from said first and second temperature sensors. 27. The battery power source device of claim 26, wherein said controller detects a temperature measured by one of said first and second temperature sensors is below a predetermined level and, in response thereto, sets said third port valve in said second position thereby directing said heat transfer medium from said second port to said first port via said re-circulation duct, and sets said medium transport device to transport said heat transfer medium from said first port to said second port. 28. The battery power source device of claim 27 further comprising:a fourth port for accepting and discharging said heat transfer medium;a fourth port valve disposable in a first position connecting said second port with said fourth port and a second position connecting said second port with said re-circulation duct; andsaid controller setting said fourth port valve in said second position thereby directing said heat transfer medium from said second port to said first port via said re-circulation duct in response to detecting the temperature measured by one of said first and second temperature sensors is below said predetermined level. 29. The battery power source device of claim 28, wherein said controller detects a temperature measured by one of said first and second temperature sensors is above a predetermined level and, in response thereto, sets said third port valve in said first position and sets said fourth port valve in said first position. 30. The battery power source device of claim 29, wherein said housing defines said re-circulation duct. 31. The battery power source device of claim 30, wherein said housing defines said third and fourth ports. 32. The battery power source device of claim 29, wherein said housing defines said third and fourth ports. 33. The battery power source device of claim 28, wherein said housing defines said re-circulation duct. 34. The battery power source device of claim 33, wherein said housing defines said third and fourth ports. 35. The battery power source device of claim 28, wherein said housing defines said third and fourth ports. 36. The battery power source device of claim 27, wherein said housing defines said re-circulation duct. 37. The battery power source device of claim 36, wherein said housing defines said third port. 38. The battery power source device of claim 27, wherein said housing defines said third port. 39. The battery power source device of claim 26, wherein said housing defines said re-circulation duct. 40. The battery power source device of claim 39, wherein said housing defines said third port. 41. The battery power source device of claim 26, wherein said housing defines said third port.