Battery Cell Assembly Heat Exchanger Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery cells generate heat, which can degrade them over time, and existing cooling solutions are inadequate to effectively manage this issue.
Innovation Solution
A battery cell assembly that includes a heat exchanger with a plastic frame and thermally conductive layers, where the heat exchanger has an interior space for liquid to absorb heat from the battery cells, effectively transferring heat energy and maintaining the battery cells within a desired temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If battery cells are operated continuously, then power supply is maintained, but heat accumulates causing degradation
Solution Approach 1:
A heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary component between the battery cells and the cooling system. The heat exchanger includes a first thermally conductive layer in thermal communication with the battery cell and a second thermally conductive layer forming a cooling channel, serving as a mediator to transfer heat from the battery cell to the coolant flowing through the channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces air cooling with liquid coolant cooling. Instead of relying on air convection, a liquid coolant is pumped through the cooling channel in the heat exchanger, providing more efficient heat removal through forced convection and higher heat capacity of the liquid medium.
2Temperature
If cooling structures are added to battery assemblies, then heat removal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is integrated directly into the battery assembly structure. The first thermally conductive layer is in direct thermal communication with the battery cell, and the second thermally conductive layer forms the cooling channel, merging the cooling function with the battery pack structure rather than adding a separate external cooling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger structure serves multiple functions: it acts as a thermal management component for heat removal, provides structural support within the battery assembly, and creates fluid flow channels for coolant distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
3Loss of energy
If existing cooling passages are used, then some heat removal is achieved, but heat transfer efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into distinct functional layers: a first thermally conductive layer for maximum thermal contact with the battery cell surface, and a second thermally conductive layer forming the cooling channel. This segmentation allows optimization of each layer's function for maximum heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The first thermally conductive layer is positioned specifically at the location of maximum heat generation on the battery cell surface, providing localized high-efficiency heat removal where it is most needed, rather than uniform cooling throughout the entire assembly.
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 effectively removes heat from battery cells, preventing degradation by maintaining them within a desired temperature range, thereby enhancing their longevity and performance.
Implementation Method 1
heat energy is transferred from the first battery cell through the first thermally conductive layer to the liquid
Implementation Method 2
when a liquid is disposed in the interior space, heat energy is transferred from the first battery cell through the first thermally conductive layer to the liquid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A battery cell assembly and a method for assembling the battery cell assembly are provided. The battery cell assembly includes first and second battery cells with a heat exchanger disposed between the first and second battery cells. The heat exchanger has a plastic frame and first and second thermally conductive layers. The plastic frame has an interior space extending therethrough. The first and second thermally conductive layers are disposed on opposite sides of the plastic frame to enclose the interior space, such that when a liquid is disposed in the interior space, heat energy is transferred from the first battery cell through the first thermally conductive layer to the liquid.