Battery Module Cell Barrier Segmentation for Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules face challenges in heat dissipation, increased contact resistance due to unit cell movement, and complex cell barrier structures that complicate fabrication and increase production costs.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a cell barrier with a body member and fixing parts, including protrusions and grooves for interlocking and bending elements to stabilize unit cells, along with coolant flow paths for enhanced cooling efficiency and simplified fabrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cell barrier is disposed between unit cells to cool them down, then heat dissipation is improved, but heat transferring efficiency becomes low due to tight contact with unit cell surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The cell barrier is divided into a body member and separate fixing parts. The fixing parts are detachably connected to the body member, allowing the coolant flow path to be segmented into multiple sections. This segmentation enables improved heat transfer by allowing the fixing parts to be positioned optimally against the unit cell surfaces while the body member maintains the overall structure and coolant flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing parts are designed to be detachably connected to the body member, creating a dynamic assembly that can be adjusted during manufacturing or maintenance. This dynamic connection allows the cell barrier structure to adapt to variations in unit cell positioning, ensuring consistent heat transfer efficiency while maintaining the cooling function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cell barrier has a complicated shape to stabilize unit cells, then stability is improved, but fabrication becomes difficult and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cell barrier is segmented into a simple body member and separate fixing parts. The body member has a straightforward structure that is easy to manufacture, while the fixing parts are simple components that can be easily attached. This segmentation allows the overall assembly to achieve stable unit cell positioning without requiring the body member itself to have a complicated shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The body member and fixing parts are combined through detachable connections to form the complete cell barrier assembly. This merging allows the simple components to work together to achieve the stability function, avoiding the need to manufacture a single complex piece while maintaining the stabilizing effect on unit cells.
3Adaptability or versatility
If unit cells are allowed to move within the battery module, then assembly flexibility is improved, but contact resistance increases between conductors and electrode terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing parts are designed to preliminarily position the unit cells during assembly through their detachable connection to the body member. This preliminary action ensures that unit cells are correctly positioned before final assembly, preventing movement that would increase contact resistance while maintaining the flexibility needed for assembly variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cell barrier structure, particularly the fixing parts connected to the body member, acts as an intermediary between the unit cells and the battery module structure. This intermediary component provides stable positioning for unit cells, ensuring consistent electrical contact while allowing for assembly flexibility through its detachable design.
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, stabilizes the cell barrier, and reduces production costs by enhancing heat transfer efficiency and facilitating easy assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant flows through the inside of the cell barrier to cool down the unit cells
Implementation Method 2
The fixing protrusion may be press-fittable into a corresponding fixing groove formed in the adjacent body member
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery module, including a plurality of unit cells (11) and a cell barrier (20) interposed between the unit cells, is provided. The cell barrier includes a body member (28) and a fixing part (25) disposed on the edge of the body member and connected to an adjacent cell barrier while housing a unit cell.