Prismatic Battery Cell Unit with Integrated Cooling Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery housing designs are inefficient in terms of space and weight, as they require additional components for thermal management, such as Peltier cells and cooling members, which increase the thickness and reduce the packing efficiency of electrochemical cells.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates prismatic pouch cells with recessed portions to create a receptacle for thermal transfer elements, allowing for efficient thermal management while maintaining a compact structure, using a frame with struts to securely position and thermally couple the cells, and employing thermal coupling elements to enhance heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separating plates are placed inside the housing with electrochemical cells between the plates, then thermal management is improved, but the interior space of the housing cannot be completely filled with electrochemical cells
Solution Approach 1:
The separating plate is merged with the cooling member into a single integrated component. The cooling member serves dual functions: as a thermal management element and as a separating plate between cells. This eliminates the need for additional separating plates, allowing cells to be positioned closer to the housing sidewall and improving space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing thermal contact with cells for heat dissipation, acting as a separator between adjacent cells, and serving as a structural component within the housing. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and optimizes interior space.
2Temperature
If cooling members are sandwiched between two cells of neighboring frame assemblies, then thermal management is improved, but the thickness of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling member is integrated with the frame assembly structure, eliminating the need for separate cooling members sandwiched between cell assemblies. The cooling member forms part of the frame itself, reducing overall assembly thickness while maintaining thermal management functionality.
3Temperature
If additional components for thermal management are added to the battery housing, then thermal management capability is improved, but the housing becomes more complex and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling member is integrated into the frame assembly as a unified structure, reducing the number of separate components. This integration simplifies the overall housing design, reduces assembly complexity, and decreases the number of fastening elements required.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame assembly incorporates multiple functions: structural support, cell positioning, thermal management through integrated cooling members, and electrical insulation. This consolidation of functions reduces overall system complexity and weight compared to having separate components for each function.
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 configuration reduces the overall volume of the battery, optimizes size and weight, and provides effective thermal management by allowing direct contact between thermal transfer elements and the cells, while allowing for expansion of electrochemical cells without mechanical stress.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling member integrated into the frame and in direct thermal contact with the first and second electrochemical cells
Implementation Method 2
Document WO 2010/071463 A1 describes electrochemical cells placed inside a housing which are in thermal contact with a Peltier cell. The Peltier cell provides heat transfer into or out of a cell pack
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electric cell unit for a secondary battery as well as to such a secondary battery module. The electric cell unit comprises: - a first electric cell (12) enclosed by a first casing (13), - a second electric cell (14) enclosed a second casing (15), wherein at least one of first and second casings (13, 15) comprises a recessed portion (16, 18) extending along a side edge (11) thereof to form a receptacle (30), which is adapted to receive at least one thermal transfer element (28).