Anisotropic Battery Base Plate Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems face challenges in preventing thermal runaway propagation due to uniform cooling methods that fail to effectively manage heat gradients, leading to potential battery fires and loss of electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with a base plate featuring anisotropic thermal conductivity, where the thermal conductivity is higher in one direction than the other, incorporating insulating structures that interrupt heat conduction in the direction perpendicular to the main surface, redirecting heat away from adjacent cells and promoting more homogeneous heat spreading across the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If uniform cooling methods are used in battery systems, then cooling coverage is improved, but thermal runaway propagation cannot be effectively prevented due to failure to manage heat gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is designed with spatially varying thermal conductivity properties. High thermal conductivity regions are positioned to conduct heat away from failing battery cells, while low thermal conductivity regions are positioned to prevent heat propagation to adjacent cells. This local differentiation of thermal properties allows the system to simultaneously achieve effective heat management and thermal runaway containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate is segmented into distinct functional zones with different thermal conductivity characteristics. These segments include high thermal conductivity areas for active heat removal and low thermal conductivity areas for thermal isolation, creating a heterogeneous thermal management system that addresses both cooling coverage and thermal runaway prevention.
2Loss of energy
If high thermal conductivity materials are used in the base plate, then heat dissipation is improved, but thermal runaway propagation risk increases due to enhanced heat transfer to adjacent cells
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using uniformly high thermal conductivity materials throughout the base plate, the invention applies high thermal conductivity materials only in specific locations where heat needs to be actively dissipated. Low thermal conductivity materials are used in regions where thermal isolation is required, thereby achieving effective heat dissipation without compromising thermal runaway prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate employs asymmetric thermal conductivity distribution, with high thermal conductivity zones positioned strategically to manage heat from failing cells and low thermal conductivity zones positioned to protect adjacent cells. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes both heat dissipation and thermal runaway containment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design effectively reduces the risk of thermal runaway propagation by transferring heat away from failing cells to adjacent modules, thereby minimizing temperature increases and preventing battery fires.
Implementation Method 1
the thermal conductivity of the base plate in the first direction is larger than the thermal conductivity of the base plate in the second direction
Implementation Method 2
incorporating insulating structures that interrupt heat conduction in the direction perpendicular to the main surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5(A)~6(B)
AI summary
The present invention relates to a battery system (100) that comprises a plurality of battery modules (90) that are arranged apart from each other in a first direction (y) and each comprises a plurality of aligned battery cells (80) arranged in a second direction (x). The battery cells (80) comprises an electrode assembly (10) accommodated in a battery case (26) with a bottom surface (27). A base plate (60) is supporting the battery modules (90) and comprises a first main surface (61) that is in thermal contact with the bottom surfaces (27) of each of the pluralities of battery cases (26). According to the present invention, the thermal conductivity of the base plate (60) in the first direction (y) is larger than the thermal conductivity of the base plate (60) in the second direction (x). Preferably as the base plate (60) comprises a first material with a first heat conductivity and a plurality of insulating structures (70) extending in the first direction (y) with a second heat conductivity lower than the first heat conductivity. The invention further relates to a base plate (60) for a battery system (100) with a thermal conductivity in the first direction (y) that is larger than the thermal conductivity in the second direction (x) and to an electric vehicle with such battery system (100) and/or base plate (60).