Battery Cooling Box Flow-Channel Layout for Easier Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery module cooling assemblies require complex sealing methods like full welding or gluing to prevent cooling liquid leakage, complicating the connection between the lower flow-channel plate and the frame.

Innovation Solution

A cooling box design with a sealed accommodation space between the upper flow-channel plate and the chassis, where the lower flow-channel plate is arranged within this space, eliminating the need for sealing between the lower flow-channel plate and the chassis, and incorporating a support structure and buffer heat insulation member for deformation and insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If full welding or gluing is used to seal the connection between the lower flow-channel plate and the frame, then the sealability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealabilityVSAvoidsealing method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sealing requirement from the connection between the lower flow-channel plate and the frame, eliminating the need for complex sealing methods at this location. The lower flow-channel plate is designed to be detachably mounted on the frame without requiring full welding or gluing, while the sealing function is maintained through the detachable connection design between the upper flow-channel plate and the frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling assembly is segmented into an upper flow-channel plate and a lower flow-channel plate that can be separately assembled. The upper flow-channel plate is detachably connected to the frame with sealing requirements, while the lower flow-channel plate is detachably mounted on the frame without sealing requirements, dividing the sealing task to where it is most effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If full welding or gluing is used to seal the connection between the upper flow-channel plate and the frame, then the sealability is improved, but the manufacturing time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling assembly is divided into separable upper and lower flow-channel plates. The upper flow-channel plate is detachably connected to the frame with sealing requirements, allowing for localized sealing only where necessary, thereby reducing overall manufacturing time and improving productivity while maintaining sealability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the lower flow-channel plate is rigidly fixed to the chassis, then the structural stability is improved, but the deformation capability and shock resistance decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddeformation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lower flow-channel plate is designed with a detachable mounting structure on the frame, allowing it to be securely fixed during normal operation for structural stability, while enabling easy removal and repositioning when deformation or maintenance is needed, thus providing both stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling assembly is segmented into separately mountable upper and lower flow-channel plates, allowing the lower plate to be independently positioned and secured on the frame, providing structural stability while maintaining the ability to adjust or remove components as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Ensures airtightness and prevents cooling liquid leakage, reduces deformation of the cooling assembly, and maintains the cooling function while simplifying the sealing process, ensuring stable operation of the battery pack.

Implementation Method 1

a lower surface of the lower flow-channel plate is spaced apart from an upper surface of the bottom wall of the chassis, to form a buffer space for deformation of the cooling assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

the cooling assembly further includes a buffer heat insulation member, which is arranged in the buffer space, and the buffer heat insulation member is made of an elastically deformable soft heat insulation material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

a cooling liquid is introduced into a cooling flow channel formed between the upper flow-channel plate and the lower flow-channel plate; a battery module is fixed on an upper surface of the upper flow-channel plate, and the heat dissipation of the battery module is realized by the heat exchanging with the cooling liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat Exchanging: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4376171A1Cooling box and battery pack
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 SUNGROW ENERGY STORAGE TECH CO LTD
  • EP4376171A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4376171A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4376171A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cooling box and a battery pack are provided. The cooling box includes a chassis and a cooling assembly. The chassis is provided with a first side wall, a bottom wall and a lower accommodation cavity surrounded by the first side wall and the bottom wall. The cooling assembly is arranged in the lower accommodation cavity, and includes a lower flow-channel plate and an upper flow-channel plate. The upper flow-channel plate is sealingly connected to the chassis, and a sealed accommodation space is formed between the upper flow-channel plate and the chassis. The lower flow-channel plate is arranged in the accommodation space, and a flow-channel space is formed between the upper flow-channel plate and the lower flow-channel plate. With the cooling box in the technical solutions of the present application, the problem that the sealability of the connection between the lower flow-channel plate and a frame is required to be considered for a conventional cooling assembly can be solved.