Battery Case Layout With Cooling and Fire-Blocking Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery packs face challenges in increasing energy density, effectively cooling battery cells, and preventing fire propagation, which are critical for safe and efficient operation, especially in applications like electric vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A battery case design incorporating a cooling panel for temperature management and a blocking panel to prevent fire propagation, along with a circulation flow path for continuous coolant supply, enhances space utilization and stability by alternately positioning cooling and blocking panels within the battery pack.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a cooling panel and blocking panel are used instead of a comparting panel, then energy density is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling panel serves dual functions: it cools battery cells through coolant circulation and acts as a space comparting structure. The blocking panel similarly provides both fire propagation blocking and spatial division. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated comparting panels, thereby increasing energy density while managing structural complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the cooling function and fire blocking function into integrated panel structures that also serve as spatial dividers. By merging these multiple functions into unified components rather than using separate dedicated parts for each function, the overall device complexity is managed while achieving higher energy density through more efficient space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If cooling panels are added to continuously cool battery cells, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling panels are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide continuous cooling through coolant circulation channels, serve as structural support elements, and act as space dividers within the battery pack. This multi-functionality allows effective temperature control to be achieved without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the cooling panels replace or integrate with other structural components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If blocking panels are added to prevent fire propagation, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking panels are designed with multi-functionality, serving as both fire propagation barriers and spatial dividers within the battery pack structure. By integrating the fire safety function with existing structural and organizational components, the patent achieves improved safety without adding separate dedicated fire blocking structures that would increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Volume of moving object

If cooling panels and blocking panels are positioned alternately, then space utilization is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the battery pack into multiple zones by alternately positioning cooling panels and blocking panels. This segmentation approach optimizes space utilization by creating distinct functional regions for cooling and fire protection while maintaining efficient use of available volume. The segmented structure allows each panel type to be strategically positioned where it provides maximum benefit, achieving high space utilization without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 increases energy density, ensures continuous cooling of battery cells, and effectively suppresses fire propagation, thereby improving the stability and safety of battery packs.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling panel (111) formed in the accommodating space 130 in parallel with the blocking panel 113 and cooling the battery assembly 1, 10

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a circulation flow path connecting the inlet and the outlet to circulate the coolant in communication with the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4421949A1Battery case and battery pack including the same
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 SK ON CO LTD
  • EP4421949A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4421949A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4421949A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery case according to the present disclosure includes a support panel provided to support a battery assembly; a spacing panel provided to face the support panel and forming an accommodating space for accommodating the battery assembly between the support panel and the spacing panel; a two-side panel provided to face each other to connect the support panel and the spacing panel to form a side surface of the accommodating space; a blocking panel disposed between the support panel and the spacing panel in parallel with the two-side panel to compart the accommodating space; and a cooling panel formed in the accommodating space in parallel with the blocking panel and cooling the battery assembly.