Battery Cooling Plate Reinforcement at Bent Flow Passages

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid cooling plates used in battery packs face deformation and cracking issues at bent parts due to increased heat exchange demands, leading to inefficiencies in heat transfer and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A liquid cooling plate design incorporating a first and second cooling plate with a reinforcement member between bent parts to provide structural support, maintaining the integrity and flow consistency of the cooling passage, and enhancing heat exchange efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the liquid cooling plate is bent to increase heat exchange area, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the flow passage at the bent part deforms and cracks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidflow passage integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling plate is divided into multiple segments (first cooling plate and second cooling plate) connected by connection parts. The bent part is segmented into a first bent part and a second bent part that correspond to each other, with the connection part providing structural support between them. This segmentation allows the cooling plate to achieve the required bent shape for heat exchange while distributing stress and preventing flow passage deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A connection part is introduced as an intermediary element between the first bent part and the second bent part. This connection part provides structural support and maintains the integrity of the flow passage at the bent location, preventing deformation and cracking while allowing the overall bent configuration for heat exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the liquid cooling plate is bent to increase heat exchange area, then heat exchange area is increased, but structural strength at the bent part decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange areaVSAvoidstructural strength at bent part

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling plate is divided into multiple segments (first cooling plate and second cooling plate) connected by connection parts. The bent part is segmented into a first bent part and a second bent part that correspond to each other, with the connection part providing structural support between them. This segmentation allows the cooling plate to achieve the required bent shape for heat exchange while distributing stress and preventing flow passage deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling plate employs a composite structure combining bent parts and connection parts with different functional properties. The connection part acts as a reinforcement element that compensates for the reduced strength at the bent location, creating a composite structure that maintains both the bent configuration for heat exchange and the necessary structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 reinforcement member prevents deformation and cracking of the cooling passage, ensuring consistent heat transfer and improved efficiency in both cooling and preheating processes for battery modules, thereby extending the lifespan and performance of the liquid cooling plate.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid cooling plate is often used to exchange heat with the battery module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a liquid cooling plate is often used to exchange heat with the battery module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20240063466A1Liquid cooling plate and battery pack

Publication Date: 2024.02.22 HITHIUM TECH HK LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a liquid cooling plate and a battery pack. The liquid cooling plate includes a first cooling plate, a second cooling plate and at least one reinforcement member. The first cooling plate includes a first bent part. The second cooling plate is arranged side by side with the first cooling plate and is connected with the first cooling plate in a sealed manner. A cooling flow passage is formed between the second cooling plate and the first cooling plate. The second cooling plate includes a second bent part, and the second bent part corresponds to the first bent part. The at least one reinforcement member is disposed in the cooling flow passage between the first bent part and the second bent part.