Battery Module Airflow Rib Layout for Cell Cooling

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery module designs with independently formed parts such as ribs, heat dissipation plates, and flow straightening plates complicate device arrangement and increase costs.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a cell assembly with battery cells arrayed in a specific direction, an accommodation case with integrated suction and exhaust holes, and ribs functioning as baffle plates to guide cooling air efficiently, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the device arrangement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If multiple independent parts (ribs, heat dissipation plates, flow straightening plates) are attached to battery cells, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple independent cooling components (ribs, heat dissipation plates, flow straightening plates) into a single integrated holding member structure. This holding member simultaneously provides cell holding function and cooling air guidance function, eliminating the need for separate attached parts while maintaining effective cooling of battery cells

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding member is designed to perform multiple functions: it holds the battery cells in place and simultaneously guides cooling air from the suction hole to the exhaust hole. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate dedicated cooling components, reducing part count while achieving the same cooling effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If multiple independent parts (ribs, heat dissipation plates, flow straightening plates) are attached to battery cells, then cooling efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple independent cooling components (ribs, heat dissipation plates, flow straightening plates) into a single integrated holding member structure. This holding member simultaneously provides cell holding function and cooling air guidance function, eliminating the need for separate attached parts while maintaining effective cooling of battery cells

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding member is designed to perform multiple functions: it holds the battery cells in place and simultaneously guides cooling air from the suction hole to the exhaust hole. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate dedicated cooling components, reducing part count while achieving the same cooling effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances cooling efficiency of battery cells while decreasing device complexity and cost by integrating ribs as baffle plates to guide cooling air effectively within the module.

Implementation Method 1

a rib extending in the second direction is provided in the peripheral space... a member located on a side of the peripheral space out of the two members is provided with a plurality of openings configured to guide the gas in the peripheral space to gaps between the plurality of battery cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow guidance:

Implementation Method 2

an exhaust hole configured to exhaust the gas having passed between the plurality of battery cells... efficiently cool a plurality of battery cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20250316787A1Battery module, electric power unit, and working machine

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a battery module comprising: a cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells arrayed in a second direction different from a first direction while each cell axis is directed in the first direction; and an accommodation case configured to accommodate the cell assembly, wherein in the accommodation case, a suction hole configured to take a gas into a peripheral space located on a side of the cell assembly in the first direction and an exhaust hole configured to exhaust the gas having passed between the plurality of battery cells are provided in one surface of two surfaces that sandwich the cell assembly in the second direction, and a rib extending in the second direction is provided in the peripheral space.