Cooler Beam Battery Layout for Retarding Thermal Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery systems face challenges in effectively stopping or retarding thermal propagation during thermal runaway events, which can lead to destructive consequences such as fires and reduced battery lifespan, due to inadequate cooling mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The battery system incorporates a design with intersecting cooler beams and a channel system that guides coolant to thermally connect with each cell, providing efficient heat dissipation and mechanical insulation to prevent heat transfer between cells, thereby stopping or retarding thermal propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cooling mechanisms are used in battery systems, then the structure is simpler, but thermal propagation during thermal runaway cannot be effectively stopped or retarded
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple cooler beams that are distributed throughout the battery system, with each cooler beam serving as an independent thermal barrier and cooling unit. This segmentation allows the system to effectively stop thermal propagation at multiple points while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler beams act as intermediary elements between the battery cells, providing both mechanical support and thermal management. These intermediaries conduct heat away from cells and physically separate cell rows, preventing direct thermal contact while maintaining structural integrity
2Temperature
If cooler beams are positioned to maximize cooling contact with cells, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but the available space for other battery components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler beams serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide thermal management by conducting heat from cells, act as mechanical support structures for the battery system, and serve as physical barriers to thermal propagation. This multi-functionality maximizes heat dissipation efficiency without requiring additional dedicated space for cooling components
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function is merged with the structural support function by integrating the cooler beams into the battery system's mechanical framework. This combination eliminates the need for separate cooling plates or heat sinks that would occupy additional space, as the structural elements themselves perform the thermal management 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 design effectively prevents or significantly retards thermal propagation across cells, enhancing safety by reducing the risk of fires and extending battery lifespan through optimal cooling and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the cooler beams has a main channel integrated therein and is thermally connected to the respective cell, so that the cooler beams can be used for standard cell cooling
Implementation Method 2
Each of the main channels is configured for guiding a coolant
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure refers to a battery system comprising a plurality of cell rows (810, 820, 830), each of the cell rows comprising a plurality of cells (80ij) arranged in a row extending along a first direction (X); a plurality of cooler beams (20k); and a channel system comprising a plurality of main channels (30k), each of the main channels being configured for guiding a coolant (F). Each of the cell rows (810, 820, 830) is sub-divided into a plurality of blocks. For each of the blocks, the front side of the block positively abuts against the second side (22b) of one of the cooler beams (20k), and/or the rear side of the block positively abuts against the first side (22a) of another one of the cooler beams. For each of the cooler beams (20k), one of the main channels (30k) is integrated in the cooler beam and is thermally connected to that cooler beam. The present disclosure is further related to a vehicle comprising the battery system.