Battery Cell Assembly U-Shaped Pipe Cooling Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for secondary batteries in mobility applications necessitates improved safety measures, particularly in preventing accidents such as fires, which are a risk due to inadequate cooling and structural integrity in battery cell assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A battery cell assembly design featuring a cooling channel with U-shaped pipes for fluid transfer, supported by structural elements to enhance coupling reliability and prevent rotation, integrated within a pack housing with a venting system to manage thermal runaway gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If simple pipe structures are used for cooling fluid transfer, then device complexity is reduced, but coupling reliability between pipes and cooling plate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the pipe structure by designing U-shaped pipes that extend downward from the cooling plate and then upward, creating a curved configuration. This curved structure prevents relative rotation between the pipe and cooling plate during thermal expansion, thereby improving coupling reliability while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If pipes are allowed to move freely during thermal expansion, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of cooling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped curved pipe design allows the pipe to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction movements while maintaining its connection to the cooling plate. The curved configuration provides flexibility for thermal movement while preventing harmful relative rotation, thus maintaining cooling performance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the pipe structure by extending it downward and then upward to create a U-shape. This parameter modification allows the pipe to accommodate thermal expansion while maintaining stable coupling with the cooling plate, ensuring reliable cooling performance.
3Ease of operation
If external forces are applied to pipe ends, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of pipe-coupling deteriorates due to rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped curved pipe structure resists rotational movement at the coupling point with the cooling plate. The curved configuration creates structural stability that prevents rotation even when external forces are applied to the pipe ends, thereby maintaining coupling reliability while preserving operational accessibility.
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 improves cooling performance and structural integrity, enhancing safety and reliability by preventing pipe damage and ensuring effective gas management, thus reducing the risk of accidents.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling channel extending along an upper surface of the cell block and configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow along the upper surface of the cell block
Data Source
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AI summary
The present technology provides a battery cell assembly including a cell block with a plurality of battery cells, an upper cover plate provided on the cell block and including a cooling channel, a first pipe connected to a first port of the upper cover plate and configured to transfer a cooling fluid, and a first support structure configured to support the first pipe, in which the first pipe includes a first part extending downward from the first port of the upper cover plate, a second part extending from the first part in a direction crossing a direction in which the first part extends, and a third part extending upward from the second part.