Secondary Battery Attachment Member for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries face challenges in effective cooling due to heat generated during charging and discharging, which can lead to temperature rises and require efficient cooling solutions.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery design featuring a container structure with an attachment member that includes a base and side plate parts with a gap between the side plate and the container wall, creating a passage for a refrigerant to enhance cooling, while maintaining a compact form factor and preventing electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal container structure is used for the secondary battery, then strength and hermetic sealing are improved, but heat dissipation is insufficient leading to temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member is divided into distinct functional layers: an insulating layer for electrical isolation and a metal layer for thermal conduction. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between electrical insulation and heat dissipation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment member uses a composite structure combining insulating material and metal material. The insulating layer provides electrical isolation while the metal layer provides thermal conduction pathways. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve electrical insulation and effective heat dissipation, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
2Temperature
If an attachment member is added to the container to improve cooling, then heat dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical insulation between components, creates cooling passages for heat dissipation, and maintains structural integrity. By consolidating these functions into a single component rather than adding separate elements, the design improves cooling without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating layer and metal layer are combined into a single integrated attachment member that is attached to the container. This merging of functions into one component reduces the number of separate parts needed, simplifying the overall structure while achieving both electrical insulation and thermal management objectives.
3Temperature
If the side plate part is positioned close to the side wall to maximize cooling efficiency, then heat dissipation is improved, but electrical contact between components may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member is segmented into an insulating layer and a metal layer. The insulating layer is positioned between the metal layer (which contacts the container for heat dissipation) and any electrical components. This segmentation allows the structure to be positioned close to the container wall for efficient cooling while the insulating layer prevents electrical contact, resolving the contradiction between thermal efficiency and electrical insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating layer acts as an intermediary between the metal layer (thermal conduction path) and electrical components. It allows the attachment member to be positioned close to the container for effective heat dissipation while preventing direct electrical contact, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal efficiency and electrical insulation reliability.
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
The design effectively cools the secondary battery by transferring heat to the refrigerant, ensuring high energy density and preventing electrical contact between components.
Implementation Method 1
The attachment member includes a metal layer stacked adjacent to the insulating layer in the base and the side plate part and have a higher thermal conductivity than that of the insulating layer. The metal layer abuts on the outer surface of the bottom wall in the attachment member.
Implementation Method 2
The side plate part faces an outer surface of the side wall of the first container member with a gap between the side plate part and the side wall. A passage for a refrigerant is defined in the gap between the side plate part and the side wall.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one embodiment, in a secondary battery, a first container member has an accommodating space defined by a bottom wall and side walls, and includes a flange on a side opposite to the bottom wall, the flange projecting outward from an opening edge of the accommodating space. A second container member is welded to the flange. The attachment member attached to the first container member includes a base abutting on an outer surface of the bottom wall, and a side plate part extended from the base toward a side on which the flange is located. The side plate part faces an outer surface of the side wall with a gap therebetween, and a passage for a refrigerant is defined in the gap between the side plate part and the side wall.