Refrigerated encapsulation compartments for packaged battery cells

A forced-air cooling system with air chambers and thermal break devices effectively addresses cooling and encapsulation challenges in larger battery cell packs, enhancing safety and reducing complexity and costs.

DE112018008272B4Active Publication Date: 2026-02-12INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE112018008272
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2017-08-22
Filing Date
2018-08-08
Publication Date
2026-02-12
Estimated Expiration
2038-08-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Larger battery cell packs face challenges in cooling efficiency and encapsulation, leading to potential thermal runaway and increased manufacturing complexity due to liquid cooling systems requiring additional space and complexity.

Method used

Implementing a forced-air cooling system with air chambers and thermal break devices to encapsulate individual battery cells, using a fan to draw in air, distribute it through compartments, and discharge heated air, minimizing space and complexity.

Benefits of technology

Provides effective cooling and encapsulation, preventing thermal transfer between cells while reducing space and manufacturing costs compared to liquid cooling systems.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

An air chamber arrangement comprises a first chamber for cooling, wherein the first chamber includes an inlet for air intake located on a first side of the first chamber. The air chamber arrangement further comprises a second chamber for exhausting heated air, wherein the second chamber includes an outlet for exhausting air located on a first side of the second chamber. The air chamber arrangement further comprises a first opening located on a first side of the first chamber for directing air from the inlet on the first side of the first chamber to a first compartment, and includes a first vent located on a first side of the second chamber for exhausting air from the first compartment towards the outlet on the first side of the second chamber. The first compartment is insulated from surrounding battery compartments by at least two thermal break devices.
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Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to packed battery cells and in particular to structures for cooling and encapsulating individual packed battery cells. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Over time, the energy density of batteries has increased, while their package size has decreased. Lithium-ion batteries are an example of high-energy-density batteries and have become the preferred battery technology for products such as consumer electronics, electric vehicles, battery backup systems, and other energy systems that require a portable and rechargeable power source. A consequence of high energy density is that, due to the amount of chemical energy stored in a small package, lithium-ion batteries pose a greater safety risk than lower-energy-density technologies.One mechanism by which high-energy-density batteries fail is called thermal runaway, a condition in which the chemical reaction inside a single cell becomes unstable due to excessive heat, which can be generated by an internal fault or otherwise. Thermal runaway causes the single cell to heat up further at an ever-increasing rate until the structural integrity of the single cell is compromised or the single cell burns out.

[0003] In the prior art, DE 10 2007 035 164 A1 describes an electrical power source which contains a plurality of batteries in its battery housing and is used to supply power to a motor, mainly for driving a vehicle.

[0004] DE 10 2016 116 326 A1 describes a thermal management system for traction batteries or high-voltage batteries used in vehicles. JP 2006 - 156 211 A describes a high-current power supply device for a motor to power a motor vehicle, such as a hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, or an electric vehicle. US 2013 / 0 017 428 A1 describes a rack enclosure assembly and an energy storage device. US 2017 / 0 033 420 A1 describes a battery pack with a battery module having a bottom and a top. SUMMARY

[0005] One aspect of an embodiment of the present invention discloses a device for an air chamber arrangement comprising a first chamber enclosed by a first cooling conduit, wherein the first chamber includes an inlet for air intake located on a first side of the first chamber; a second chamber enclosed by a second duct for exhausting heated air, wherein the second chamber includes an outlet for exhausting air located on a first side of the second chamber, wherein a second side of the first chamber is connected at least partially along its length to a second side of the second chamber; a first opening located on a third side of the first chamber for directing air from the inlet on the first side of the first chamber to a first compartment, wherein the first compartment contains a first battery cell;and has a first vent opening located on a third side of the second chamber to release air from the first compartment towards the outlet on the first side of the second chamber. Brief description of the different views of the drawings

[0006] The following detailed description, which serves as an example and is not intended to limit the revelation exclusively to it, is best understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1A represents an air chamber arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1B an enlarged view of a section of the air chamber arrangement of Fig. 1A represents an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 represents an isometric view of a plurality of air chamber arrangements in a battery cell pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 A top view of the majority of air chamber arrangements in the battery cell pack of Fig. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 An enlarged top view of a single row of battery cells with an air chamber arrangement in the battery cell pack of Fig. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 A view of a front inlet of the plurality of air chamber arrangements in the battery cell pack of Fig. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 A view of a rear outlet of the plurality of air chamber arrangements in the battery cell pack of Fig. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] The invention is described by the features of the independent claims. Embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] Cooling the battery cells prevents them from overheating during charging and discharging, which can lead to thermal runaway. Furthermore, cooling the battery cells dissipates excess heat during certain incidents, such as minor internal short circuits, potentially preventing thermal runaway. Encapsulating battery cells prevents an uncontrolled incident (e.g., fire) from escaping the battery pack and causing damage or injury. Encapsulating a single battery cell prevents thermal runaway from spreading to surrounding cells and creating a thermal runaway incident across all cells in the battery pack.

[0009] Smaller battery cell packs, such as those found in smartphones, are typically cooled using dissipation and natural convection. These battery cell packs may also employ an encapsulation unit that seals the battery cells, with the encapsulation unit being tightly sealed to the cells and thermally bonded to them. The encapsulation units prevent damage from an uncontrolled incident or thermal runaway and further enhance cooling through dissipation and natural convection.

[0010] However, dissipation and natural convection may not provide sufficient cooling for larger battery cell packs. Larger battery cell packs are typically cooled using a liquid coolant, which flows through pipes and piping systems around the battery cells to cool the pack. The coolant draws heat from the battery cells and allows an encapsulation unit to be placed around the cells to prevent thermal runaway from the boundaries of the battery cell pack. Some larger battery cell packs separate the battery cells into smaller, isolated groups or modules, thus preventing a cascading failure of all the battery cells in the pack.Furthermore, a refractory material is used around the battery cells to absorb energy during a thermal runaway incident, preventing the transmission of failure from cell to cell. The battery cell pack must accommodate the combination of the liquid cooling system and the refractory material, resulting in a larger battery cell pack. However, liquid cooling systems typically require additional space within the battery cell pack for the coolant pipes and piping systems and can increase manufacturing complexity.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems that enable forced-air cooling in larger battery cell packs while maintaining the encapsulation of individual battery cells to prevent thermal transfer from cell to cell within the pack. The forced-air cooling is provided by a fan located on the front of the battery cell pack, with air being drawn in through an inlet on the front surface of the battery cell pack. The air is forced into an air chamber arrangement comprising a cooling chamber and a discharge chamber, where the forced-air cooling enters an inlet of the cooling chamber. The cooling chamber includes a plurality of openings for distributing the forced-air cooling into each battery compartment, with each battery compartment containing a single battery cell.Furthermore, each battery compartment contains thermal break devices made of an electrically non-conductive, heat-resistant material with a high melting point to prevent thermal transfer from one battery cell to another. The induced air pressure gradient in each battery compartment, due to the recirculating air entering each compartment, allows the heated air to be discharged through a vent into the drain chamber. The heated air flows through the drain chamber and out of the rear of the battery cell pack, which also features a vent for this purpose.Advantages of the present invention include a smaller space requirement in the battery cell packs for the chamber arrangement compared to the coolant pipes and piping systems required for a liquid-cooled system, lower manufacturing complexity and lower manufacturing costs.

[0012] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it is understood that the disclosed embodiments serve only to illustrate possible embodiments of the invention and may take various forms. Furthermore, each of the examples mentioned in connection with the various embodiments is also intended to serve as an illustration and is not meant to be limiting. This description is intended merely as a representative basis to convey to a person skilled in the art the various aspects of the present disclosure in different ways. Details of generally known features and techniques may be omitted from the description to avoid making the present embodiments unnecessarily unclear.

[0013] Fig. Figure 1A represents an air chamber arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the air chamber arrangement 100 comprises a cooling chamber 102, an upper drain chamber 104, and a lower drain chamber 106. The cooling chamber 102, which is enclosed by a cooling line, includes an inlet 108 through which cooled or ambient air is forced. Air enters through the inlet 108 at one end of the cooling chamber 102, and the cooling chamber 102 is sealed at the other end relative to the inlet 108. The upper drain chamber 104, which is enclosed by a conduit for draining heated air, contains an upper outlet 110, and the lower drain chamber 106, which is enclosed by a conduit for draining heated air, contains a lower outlet 112, where heated air is emptied from each of the battery cells and discharged through the upper outlet 110 and the lower outlet 112.In an alternative embodiment, the air chamber arrangement 100 can include a cooling chamber 102 and an upper exhaust chamber 104, or a cooling chamber 102 and a lower exhaust chamber 106. Furthermore, the air chamber arrangement 100 can include multiple cooling chambers 102 to maximize the amount of cooled or ambient air directed onto the battery cells. The upper exhaust chamber 104 is at least partially connected to an upper section of the cooling chamber 102, and the lower exhaust chamber 106 is at least partially connected to a lower section of the cooling chamber 102.

[0014] The cooling chamber 102 contains a plurality of openings 114 through which cooled or ambient air, forced through the inlet 108, is directed into each battery compartment containing a battery cell. The upper exhaust chamber 104 contains a plurality of upper vents 116, and the lower exhaust chamber 106 contains a plurality of lower vents 118. In addition to the opening 114, each compartment containing the battery cell has an upper vent 116 and a lower vent 118 to dissipate heat from each of the battery cells. When cooled or ambient air is forced through the inlet 108, the air flows through the length of the cooling chamber 102, and a portion of the air is forced through each of the openings 114. In this embodiment, the cooling chamber 102 is a rectangularly shaped conduit that extends over the entire length of the air chamber arrangement 100.In a further embodiment, the cooling chamber 102 gradually tapers towards the rear end of the air chamber arrangement 100 relative to the inlet 108, where a passage area for the cooled or ambient air forced through the cooling chamber 102 is largest near the inlet 108. The tapering of the passage area for the cooled or ambient air through the cooling chamber 102 allows the flow of the cooled or ambient air to accelerate towards the rear end of the cooling chamber. Furthermore, the size of the passage area can vary at different points along the cooling chamber 102 to control the velocity of the cooled or ambient air. In yet another embodiment, the upper outlet chamber 104 and the lower outlet chamber 106 can each gradually taper towards the rear end of the air chamber arrangement 100 relative to the upper outlet 110 and the lower outlet chamber 106, respectively.The lower outlet 112 tapers, where the passage area for the heated air through the upper outlet chamber 104 and the lower outlet chamber 106 is largest near the upper outlet 110 and the lower outlet 112, respectively. As described in connection with the cooling chamber 102, the size of the passage area can vary at different points along the upper outlet chamber 104 and the lower outlet chamber 106 to control the velocity of the discharged heated air.

[0015] Fig. Figure 1B shows an enlarged view of a section of the air chamber arrangement of Fig. Figure 1A represents an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the plurality of upper vent openings 116 and the plurality of lower vent openings 118 each have the same dimensions. A single battery cell is located in a single battery compartment, the single battery compartment containing a single opening 114, an upper vent opening 116, and a lower vent opening 118. The single battery compartment is partially enclosed, the only openings for the single battery compartment being the opening 114, the upper vent opening 116, and the lower vent opening 118. The dimensions, shape, and position of each of the plurality of upper vent openings 116 and each of the plurality of lower vent openings 118 can vary depending on the venting requirements for each of the battery cells.In this embodiment, the dimensions and shape of the upper vent openings 116 and the lower vent openings 118 are such that the passage area for releasing air from each of the individual battery compartments is maximized.

[0016] In this embodiment, each of the plurality of openings 114 has the same dimensions. The dimensions, shape, and position of each of the plurality of openings 114 can vary depending on the cooling requirements for each of the battery cells. For example, one cooling requirement may be a position of the opening 114 so that the circulating air is distributed evenly over the battery cell. Another cooling requirement may be a position of the opening 114 to generate a maximum induced air pressure gradient in order to dissipate heat at a greater rate from the individual battery compartment and away from the battery cell through the upper vent 116 and the lower vent 118. The individual battery compartment is not limited to a single opening 114 and may contain two or more openings 114.

[0017] In this embodiment, center lines 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D represent center lines with which thermal separation devices are aligned. A first thermal separation device is aligned with center line 120A over a total height of the air chamber arrangement 100, which corresponds to the sum of the heights of the cooling chamber 102, the upper drain chamber 104, and the lower drain chamber 106. A second thermal separation device is aligned with center line 120B, with a region between the first thermal separation device and the second thermal separation device forming two walls of the battery compartment 124 for a single battery cell.

[0018] Fig. Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a plurality of air chamber arrangements in a battery cell pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the battery cell pack 200 includes a housing 202, wherein an upper section of the housing 202 is removable to expose the internal components of the battery cell pack 200. The housing 202 includes a front section 204 and a rear section 206, wherein the front section 204 includes an inlet opening 208 for air intake by a blower 210. The blower 210 accelerates air toward the air chamber arrangements 100 and printed circuit board arrangements 212. In this embodiment, there are four air chamber arrangements 100 and four printed circuit board arrangements 212. Each printed circuit board arrangement 212 includes an array of interconnected thermal break devices 214 between the electrically connected battery cells 216.The printed circuit board assembly 212 can include one or more battery cells 216 and two or more thermal break devices 214, each battery cell 216 having two thermal break devices 214 on either side of each battery cell 216. Each printed circuit board assembly 212 also includes an air chamber arrangement 100 for cooling the series of battery cells 216, which are electrically connected to each printed circuit board assembly 212.

[0019] Fig. Figure 3 shows a top view of the majority of air chamber arrangements in the battery cell pack of Fig. Figure 2 represents an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the blower 210, located on the front section 204 of the battery cell pack 200, is situated centrally between the four air chamber arrangements and the four circuit board arrangements 212 to ensure symmetrical air distribution. Each circuit board arrangement 212 is positioned parallel to each respective air chamber arrangement 100. Each battery cell 216 is enclosed lengthwise by the air chamber arrangement 100, the circuit board arrangement 212, and two thermal break devices 214. The thermal break devices 214 are made of an electrically non-conductive, heat-resistant material with high strength and a high melting point relative to each battery cell 216.The temperature of the melting point of the thermal isolation devices 214 is higher than the temperatures to which the battery cell 216 is exposed during a thermal runaway incident, in order to ensure that each battery cell 216 is encapsulated in each battery compartment.

[0020] In this embodiment, a first thermal separation device 214 is located opposite and parallel to a second thermal separation device 214. The printed circuit board assembly 212 is located perpendicularly at one end of the two thermal separation devices 214, and the air chamber assembly 100 is located perpendicularly at the other end of the two thermal separation devices 214 opposite the printed circuit board assembly 212. Each battery cell 216 is enclosed widthwise by a lower cover and an upper cover of the battery cell pack 200, the lower cover and the upper cover being located perpendicular to the first thermal separation device 214 and the second thermal separation device 214.The lower cover of the battery cell pack 200 creates a first seal between the first thermal separating device 214 and the second thermal separating device 214, and the upper cover of the battery cell pack 200 creates a second seal between the first thermal separating device 214 and the second thermal separating device 214.

[0021] Fig. Figure 4 shows an enlarged top view of a single row of battery cells with an air chamber arrangement in the battery cell pack of Fig. Figure 2 represents an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, each battery cell 216 is oriented 180 degrees away from an adjacent battery cell 216, which is electrically connected to the circuit board assembly 212. Each battery cell 216 shares at least one thermal separation device 214 with an adjacent battery cell 216. As illustrated, the air chamber assembly 100 includes an inner conduit 402 through which heated air is discharged via a drain chamber. Walls 404 of the drain chamber are aligned and connected with thermal separation devices 214 to enclose each battery cell 216 such that heated air is forced into the inner conduit 402 of the air chamber assembly 100 and discharged through the drain chamber.In a further embodiment, each wall 404 can extend beyond the width of each thermal break 214 to reduce the amount of heated air forced into the inner conduit 402 of the air chamber arrangement 100. The thermal break 214 and the air chamber arrangement 100 prevent air from one battery compartment from entering another, thus providing insulation to prevent thermal transfer from battery cell to battery cell.

[0022] Fig. Figure 5 shows a view of a front inlet of the majority of air chamber arrangements in the battery cell pack of Fig. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, cooled or ambient air is forced through each inlet 108 of each cooling chamber 102 of the air chamber arrangement 100 at the front section 204 of the battery cell pack 200. The cooled or ambient air forced through each inlet 108 is distributed into each compartment in which a battery cell 216 of each circuit board arrangement 212 is housed. Each of the four inlets 108 represents a guided path through which the cooled recirculated air or ambient air is directed by the thermal break devices 214, a lower surface of the battery cell pack 200, and a (in Fig. 5 (not shown) upper surface of the battery cell pack 200 can take place, thereby preventing the escape of cooled recirculated air or ambient air into other surrounding areas.

[0023] Fig. Figure 6 shows a view of a rear outlet of the majority of air chamber arrangements in the battery cell pack of Fig. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, heated air is forced through the upper outlet 110 of the upper outlet chamber 104 and the lower outlet 112 of the lower outlet chamber 106 towards the rear section 206 of the battery cell pack 200. As air is forced into the air chamber arrangement 100 and distributed into each compartment containing a battery cell 216, the air encounters each battery cell 216. The heated air is discharged from each compartment containing a battery cell 216 through the upper outlet chamber 104 and the lower outlet chamber 106. Each of the four upper outlets 110 and each of the four lower outlets 112 discharges the heated air from the rear section 206 of the battery cell pack 200. The battery cell pack 200 includes a rear wall at the rear section 206 with (in Fig.6 (not shown) vent openings to release the heated air from the battery cell pack 200. The thermal separation device 214 prevents a backflow of heated air, which is released from the upper outlet 110 and the lower outlet 112, from being returned to the last battery cell 216 of each circuit board assembly 212.

[0024] The terminology used herein serves only to describe certain embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "ein", "eine" and "der", "die", "das" are intended to also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0025] Having described preferred embodiments of a cooled encapsulation compartment for packed battery cells (which serve for illustration and are not intended to be limiting), it is pointed out that modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore understood that changes can be made to certain disclosed embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention, as set out in the accompanying claims.

[0026] The disclosure also includes examples in accordance with the following clauses: Clause 1: Device for cooling and encapsulating packed battery cells, the device comprising: A first chamber enclosed by a first cooling conduit, the first chamber having an inlet for an air intake located on a first side of the first chamber; A second chamber enclosed by a second conduit for venting heated air, the second chamber containing an outlet for venting air located on a first side of the second chamber, a second side of the first chamber being connected at least partially along its length to a second side of the second chamber; A first opening located on a third side of the first chamber to direct air from the inlet on the first side of the first chamber to a first compartment, the first compartment containing a first battery cell; and a first vent opening located on a third side of the second chamber to release air from the first compartment towards the outlet on the first side of the second chamber. Clause 2: Device according to Clause 1, wherein the inlet is located on the first side of the first chamber opposite the outlet on the first side of the second chamber. Clause 3: Device according to Clause 2, wherein the first compartment has: a first circuit board arrangement that is electrically connected to the first battery cell; a first thermal separation device connected to the first printed circuit board assembly, wherein the first thermal separation device is aligned with a first side of the first vent opening and the first printed circuit board is aligned with a second side of the first vent opening; and a second thermal separation device connected to the first printed circuit board assembly, wherein the second thermal separation device is aligned with a third side of the first vent opening. Clause 4: Device according to Clause 3, wherein the first compartment further comprises: A first side of a housing, which is perpendicular to a first side of the first thermal separation device and a first side of the second thermal separation device, wherein the first side of the first thermal separation device and the first side of the second thermal separation device form a first seal with the first side of the housing; and a second side of the housing, which is perpendicular to a second side of the first thermal separation device and a second side of the second thermal separation device, wherein the second side of the first thermal separation device and the second side of the second thermal separation device form a second seal with the second side of the housing. Clause 5: Device according to Clause 4, wherein the first compartment is formed by the first printed circuit board arrangement, the first thermal separation device, the second thermal separation device, the first side of the housing, the second side of the housing, the first side of the first chamber and the first side of the second chamber. Clause 6: Device according to Clause 1, wherein the dimensions and shape of the first opening are based on the cooling requirements of the first compartment. Clause 7: Device according to Clause 6, wherein the cooling requirements include a position of the first opening on the third side of the first chamber so that air hits the first battery cell located in the first compartment. Clause 8: Device according to Clause 6, wherein the cooling requirements include a position of the first opening on the third side of the first chamber to generate a maximum amount of induced air pressure gradient to vent air from the first battery cell in the first compartment. Clause 9: Device according to Clause 1, wherein a dimension and a shape of the first vent opening are based on draining requirements for the first compartment. Clause 10: Device according to Clause 1, wherein the first thermal separation device and the second thermal separation device are each made of an electrically non-conductive, heat-resistant material and have a higher melting point than the first battery cell. Clause 11: Device according to Clause 6, which further comprises: A third side of the housing, wherein the third side of the housing contains an inlet for directing air towards a blower located in the housing, the third side being adjacent to the inlet on the first side of the first chamber; and a fourth side of the housing, wherein the fourth side of the housing is opposite the third side of the housing, wherein the fourth side of the housing is adjacent to the outlet on the first side of the second chamber. Clause 12: Device according to Clause 2, which further comprises: a third chamber enclosed by a third conduit for venting heated air, the third chamber containing an outlet for venting air located on a first side of the third chamber; and a first vent opening located on the first side of the third chamber to release air from the first compartment towards the outlet on the first side of the third chamber. Clause 13: Device according to Clause 12, wherein the outlet on the first side of the third chamber is aligned with the outlet on the first side of the second chamber. Clause 14: Device according to Clause 12, wherein the third chamber is connected at least partially along its length to the first chamber opposite the second chamber. Clause 15: Device according to Clause 3, which further comprises: a second opening located on the third side of the first chamber to direct air from the inlet on the first side of the first chamber to a second compartment, the second opening being adjacent to the first opening; and a second vent opening located on the third side of the second chamber to release air from the second compartment towards the outlet on the first side of the second chamber, the second vent opening being adjacent to the first vent opening. Clause 16: Device according to Clause 15, wherein the second compartment has: a second battery cell that is electrically connected to the first circuit board assembly; and a third thermal separation device connected to the first printed circuit board assembly, wherein the third thermal separation device is aligned with a first side of the second vent opening. Clause 17: Device according to Clause 15, wherein the first compartment contains a first side of the second thermal separation device and the second compartment contains a second side of the second thermal separation device. Clause 18: Device according to Clause 1, wherein the first chamber tapers towards a fourth side of the first chamber relative to the first side of the first chamber. Clause 19: Device according to Clause 1, wherein the second chamber tapers towards a fourth side of the second chamber relative to the first side of the second chamber. Clause 20: Device according to Clause 12, wherein the third chamber tapers towards a fourth side of the third chamber relative to the first side of the third chamber.

Claims

[1] Device for cooling and encapsulating packed battery cells, the device comprising: a first chamber (102) enclosed by a first cooling conduit, wherein the first chamber (102) includes an inlet (108) for an air inlet located on a first side of the first chamber (102); a second chamber (104) enclosed by a second conduit for venting heated air, wherein the second chamber (104) includes an outlet (110) for venting air located on a first side of the second chamber (104), wherein a second side of the first chamber (102) is connected at least partially along its length to a second side of the second chamber (104); a first opening (114) located on a third side of the first chamber (102) to direct air from the inlet (108) on the first side of the first chamber (102) to a first compartment (124), the first compartment (124) containing a first battery cell (216), the dimensions and shape of the first opening (114) being based on the cooling requirements of the first chamber (102), the cooling requirements including a position of the first opening (114) on the third side of the first chamber (102) to generate a maximum induced air pressure gradient to drain air from the first battery cell (216) into the first compartment (124); and a first vent opening (116) located on a third side of the second chamber (104) to release air from the first compartment (124) towards the outlet (110) on the first side of the second chamber (104). [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein the inlet is located on the first side of the first chamber (102) opposite the outlet on the first side of the second chamber (104). [3] Device according to claim 2, wherein the first compartment (124) comprises: a first circuit board arrangement (212) which is electrically connected to the first battery cell (216); a first thermal separation device (214) connected to the first printed circuit board assembly (212), wherein the first thermal separation device (214) is aligned with a first side of the first vent opening (116) and the first printed circuit board is aligned with a second side of the first vent opening (116); and a second thermal separation device (214) connected to the first printed circuit board assembly (212), wherein the second thermal separation device (214) is aligned with a third side of the first vent opening (116). [4] Device according to claim 3, wherein the first compartment (124) further comprises: A first side of a housing (202) which is perpendicular to a first side of the first thermal separation device (214) and a first side of the second thermal separation device (214), wherein the first side of the first thermal separation device (214) and the first side of the second thermal separation device (214) form a first seal with the first side of the housing (202); and a second side of the housing (202) which is perpendicular to a second side of the first thermal separation device (214) and a second side of the second thermal separation device (214), wherein the second side of the first thermal separation device (214) and the second side of the second thermal separation device (214) form a second seal with the second side of the housing (202). [5] Device according to claim 4, wherein the first compartment (124) is formed by the first printed circuit board arrangement (212), the first thermal separation device (214), the second thermal separation device (214), the first side of the housing (202), the second side of the housing (202), the first side of the first chamber (102) and the first side of the second chamber (104). [6] Device according to claim 5, wherein the cooling requirements include a position of the first opening (114) on the third side of the first chamber (102) so that air hits the first battery cell (216) located in the first compartment (124). [7] Device according to claim 1, wherein a dimension and a shape of the first vent opening (116) are based on draining requirements for the first compartment (124). [8] Device according to claim 3, wherein the first thermal separation device (214) and the second thermal separation device (214) are each made of an electrically non-conductive, heat-resistant material and have a higher melting point in relation to the first battery cell (216). [9] Device according to claim 4, further comprising: A third side of the housing (202), wherein the third side of the housing (202) includes an inlet for directing air towards a blower (210) located in the housing (202), the third side being adjacent to the inlet on the first side of the first chamber (102); and a fourth side of the housing (202), wherein the fourth side of the housing (202) is opposite the third side of the housing (202), wherein the fourth side of the housing (202) is adjacent to the outlet on the first side of the second chamber (104). [10] Device according to claim 2, further comprising: A third chamber (106) enclosed by a third conduit for venting heated air, the third chamber (106) containing an outlet for venting air located on a first side of the third chamber (106); and a first vent opening (116) located on a third side of the third chamber (106) to release air from the first compartment (124) towards the outlet on the first side of the third chamber (106). [11] Device according to claim 10, wherein the outlet on the first side of the third chamber (106) is aligned with the outlet on the first side of the second chamber (104). [12] Device according to claim 10, wherein the third chamber (106) is connected at least partially along its length to the first chamber (102) opposite the second chamber (104). [13] Device according to claim 3, further comprising: a second opening (114) located on the third side of the first chamber (102) to direct air from the inlet on the first side of the first chamber (102) to a second compartment (124), the second opening (114) being adjacent to the first opening (114); and a second vent opening (116) located on the third side of the second chamber (104) to release air from the second compartment (124) towards the outlet on the first side of the second chamber (104), the second vent opening (116) being adjacent to the first vent opening (116). [14] Device according to claim 13, wherein the second compartment (124) comprises: a second battery cell (216) which is electrically connected to the first circuit board assembly (212); and a third thermal separation device (214) connected to the first printed circuit board assembly (212), wherein the third thermal separation device (214) is aligned with a first side of the second vent opening (116). [15] Device according to claim 13, wherein the first compartment (124) contains a first side of the second thermal separation device (214) and the second compartment (124) contains a second side of the second thermal separation device (214). [16] Device according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber (102) tapers towards a fourth side of the first chamber (102) relative to the first side of the first chamber (102). [17] Device according to claim 1, wherein the second chamber (104) tapers towards a fourth side of the second chamber (104) relative to the first side of the second chamber (104). [18] Device according to claim 10, wherein the third chamber (106) tapers towards a fourth side of the third chamber (106) relative to the first side of the third chamber (106).

Citation Information

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