Battery Pack Cooling Bolt With Temperature-Responsive Refrigerant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face challenges in effectively cooling large numbers of battery cells, which can lead to overheating, reduced lifespan, and increased risk of explosion or ignition, while also being prone to refrigerant leaks that can cause fires or explosions.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design incorporating a refrigerant transfer bolt with an integrated heat sink and pack frame, featuring a shape memory alloy opening/closing member that adjusts refrigerant flow based on temperature, reducing parts and minimizing leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a large number of battery cells are stacked to form a battery module for high output, then capacity and output are improved, but heat dissipation becomes difficult and temperature rises excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The module frame and pack frame are merged into a single integrated structure that simultaneously provides mechanical support and heat dissipation functions. The refrigerant flow path is formed within this integrated frame structure, combining structural support and thermal management functions into one component system.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure serves multiple functions: mechanical support for battery modules, heat dissipation through integrated refrigerant flow paths, and structural protection. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate cooling plates or heat sinks.
2Ease of operation
If separate mounting bolts and refrigerant pipe connectors are used to mount battery modules, then assembly flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases and refrigerant leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bolt and refrigerant pipe connector are merged into a single integrated fastening structure. The refrigerant flow path is formed within the fastening component itself, eliminating the need for separate connection parts and reducing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening component performs multiple functions: mechanically securing the battery module to the frame and simultaneously serving as a refrigerant flow conduit. This multi-functional component reduces the total number of parts while maintaining assembly flexibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional mounting structures are used without integrated refrigerant flow paths, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but cooling performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant flow path is merged directly into the frame structure during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate cooling plates or heat sinks. This integration maintains manufacturing simplicity while dramatically improving cooling performance through direct thermal contact with battery modules.
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
Enhances cooling efficiency, reduces the risk of refrigerant leakage, and stabilizes temperature control, thereby improving safety and extending the battery pack's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
the opening/closing member may include a shape memory alloy and deforms according to the temperature of the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a heat sink located under a bottom part of the module frame
Data Source
AI summary
Discussed is a battery back that includes: a plurality of battery modules that includes a battery cell stack, a module frame for housing the battery cell stack, and a heat sink located under a bottom part of the module frame; a pack frame that houses the plurality of battery modules; and a refrigerant transfer bolt that fastens the bottom part of the module frame, the heat sink, and the pack frame, wherein the pack frame includes a pack refrigerant pipe for supplying and discharging refrigerant, wherein a connection pipe for connecting the pack refrigerant pipe and the heat sink is formed through the refrigerant transfer bolt, and wherein the refrigerant transfer bolt includes an opening/closing member that opens or cuts off the connection pipe in response to a temperature of the refrigerant.