Battery Module Joining Bracket Cooling Against Thermal Runaway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face the risk of thermal runaway spreading from one module to adjacent modules via the joining member, leading to a chain reaction.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a cooling pipe in thermal contact with a joining member to cool the joining member using refrigerant flow, thereby reducing heat conduction between adjacent electricity storage modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a joining member is used to join adjacent electricity storage modules, then the structural integrity and mechanical strength are improved, but heat conduction between modules increases leading to thermal runaway propagation risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cooling pipe as an intermediary element between adjacent electricity storage modules. The cooling pipe is in thermal contact with the joining member and circulates refrigerant to actively cool the joining member, thereby interrupting the heat conduction path while maintaining the structural joining function. This mediator approach allows the joining member to perform both mechanical connection and heat dissipation functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameter of the joining member by introducing active cooling through the cooling pipe. By circulating refrigerant through the cooling pipe, the temperature of the joining member is actively controlled and reduced, transforming it from a potential heat conduction path to a heat dissipation pathway. This parameter change (temperature control) resolves the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity and preventing heat propagation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal contact between joining member and cooling pipe is established, then heat conduction is reduced through active cooling, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joining member is designed to serve multiple functions: mechanical connection between modules, structural support, and heat dissipation through thermal contact with the cooling pipe. The cooling pipe itself serves dual purposes as both a structural component and a thermal management system. This multi-functionality approach reduces overall system complexity by combining multiple functions into existing components rather than adding separate dedicated components.
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 configuration effectively mitigates the risk of thermal runaway propagation by cooling the joining member, thus preventing chain reactions in adjacent modules.
Implementation Method 1
The joining member and the cooling pipe are in thermal contact with each other
Implementation Method 2
the joining member can be cooled by the refrigerant that flows through the cooling pipe
Data Source
AI summary
An electricity storage apparatus includes a plurality of electricity storage modules, a joining bracket configured to join adjacent electricity storage modules out of the electricity storage modules to each other, and a cooling pipe through which a refrigerant flows. The joining bracket and the cooling pipe are in thermal contact with each other.