Battery Cell Housing With Alternating Vents for Even Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium battery cells lack sufficient mechanical stability and even temperature distribution, leading to potential damage from extreme temperatures and uneven aging due to variations in operating temperature across cells in a battery system.

Innovation Solution

A housing arrangement with a frame element and ventilation recesses of changing orientation, allowing for efficient cooling and heating, and increased mechanical stability, while ensuring electrical insulation and contact protection through a design that includes multiple frame elements forming an overall wall with gaps for fluid entry and exit, and optional secondary chambers for enhanced airflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If battery cells are sealed only in foil to maintain flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines flexible foil sealing with a rigid frame structure to create a composite housing system. The frame elements with ventilation openings provide mechanical stability while the foil sealing maintains flexibility and adaptability of the battery cell package.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If ventilation openings are added to cool battery cells, then temperature control is improved, but electrical insulation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidelectrical insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The frame elements act as intermediary structures between the battery cells and the external environment. They provide ventilation openings for cooling while simultaneously serving as electrical insulation barriers, preventing direct contact with live parts through the insulating frame material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If frame elements are used to improve mechanical stability, then strength is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into multiple frame elements that can be separately manufactured and assembled. Each frame element contains integrated ventilation openings, dividing the complex functions of structural support and thermal management into manageable modular components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If multiple frame elements are connected to form an overall wall, then mechanical stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The overall wall is divided into multiple identical or similar frame elements that can be manufactured using the same process and then assembled together. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing while achieving the mechanical stability of a continuous wall structure.

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

The solution provides stable temperature distribution across battery cells, preventing damage from extreme temperatures and ensuring even aging, while enhancing mechanical stability and electrical insulation, thus improving operational safety and performance.

Implementation Method 1

the ventilation openings have such a changing orientation that fluid can enter through the ventilation openings, particularly from the outside into the interior space, alternately

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the housing arrangement enables sufficient cooling and/or heating of the battery cells. This ensures that the battery cells operate within their specific temperature range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

It also ensures sufficient electrical insulation and adequate protection against electric shock for the battery cells and other live parts of the battery system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP3350852B1Housing arrangement for at least one battery cell
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 INTILION GMBH
  • EP3350852B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3350852B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3350852B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a housing arrangement (10) for at least one battery cell (1), preferably a lithium battery cell (1) and/or a lithium pouch cell (1), wherein the housing arrangement (10) comprises at least one frame element (20) having a wall (30) and an inner space (40) formed by the wall (30) for receiving the battery cell (1). On the wall (30), a plurality of ventilation recesses (50) are provided. The ventilation recesses (50) have a changing orientation such that the entry of a fluid (5) through the ventilation recesses (50) can take place from alternating sides.