Battery Container Structure Without Rack Frames for Lighter ESS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery containers are heavy and bulky due to the inclusion of rack frames, leading to increased transportation difficulties, higher costs, reduced energy density, and installation challenges.
Innovation Solution
A battery container design that utilizes support members within the container housing to stabilize battery modules without additional rack frames, featuring spaced-apart support members and seating portions, including hollow pillars and plate portions to enhance structural rigidity and reduce weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a battery container is designed to accommodate large-format battery modules, then the energy storage capacity increases, but the thermal management efficiency deteriorates due to increased heat generation and reduced heat dissipation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The battery container is segmented into multiple battery module accommodating spaces with independent cooling channels. Each cooling channel is positioned to directly contact or closely approach its corresponding battery module, enabling localized heat dissipation. This segmentation allows the system to manage heat from large-format modules effectively by dividing the thermal management task into smaller, more manageable zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channels are nested within the container structure, positioned between the battery modules and the container wall. This nested arrangement allows the cooling channels to be integrated into the overall container design without occupying additional external space, while still providing direct thermal contact with the battery modules for efficient heat dissipation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the container structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the heat dissipation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are merged with the container structure itself, forming an integrated design where the thermal management system and structural components are combined into a single unified structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate, complex cooling systems while maintaining effective heat dissipation capability through the container walls.
3Area of stationary object
If battery modules are arranged with larger dimensions, then the space utilization improves, but the reliability decreases due to increased risk of thermal runaway propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple independent battery module spaces, each with its own dedicated cooling channel. This segmentation creates thermal isolation between modules, preventing thermal runaway in one module from propagating to adjacent modules. The independent cooling channels further enhance this isolation by providing separate thermal management paths for each module.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channels serve as intermediary structures between the battery modules and the external environment. These channels act as thermal barriers and heat dissipation pathways that protect the battery modules from thermal propagation while maintaining efficient heat removal. The cooling channels mediate the thermal interaction between modules, preventing direct thermal coupling that could lead to runaway propagation.
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 reduces the weight and size of the battery container, facilitating easier transportation and installation, improving energy density, and lowering manufacturing and transportation costs while maintaining stability and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling plate (311) configured to be in contact with the first battery module (310) and conduct away heat generated by the first battery module (310)
Implementation Method 2
a second cooling plate (321) configured to be in contact with the second battery module (320) and conduct away heat generated by the second battery module (320)
Implementation Method 3
first connection tubes (303) configured to connect between the first cooling plate (311) and the second cooling plate (321)
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a battery container that is easy to optimize size and weight. The battery container includes a container housing having a plurality of unit housings to form an empty space therein; a plurality of battery modules accommodated in the inner space of the container housing and stacked in an upper and lower direction to form a module stack, so that a plurality of module stacks are arranged in a horizontal direction; and a support member configured to accommodate the plurality of battery modules while supporting at least two unit housings therebetween.