Battery Cooling Case with Exposed Cell Sides for Uniform Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cooling systems face inefficiencies in temperature distribution across battery cells, particularly when using fans, leading to uneven cooling and potential overheating, especially as the number of cells increases or intake port positions change, necessitating redesigns.
Innovation Solution
A cooling case design featuring a first and second case with coupling and opening parts to expose battery cells for heat exchange through convection or conduction, allowing controlled exposure to a cooling member, either by direct contact or spacing, to manage temperature distribution effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling means (fan) is used, then cooling function is provided, but temperature distribution becomes uneven with cells far from cooling means overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional air cooling (3D fan-based system) to direct thermal contact cooling by exposing battery cell surfaces to the cooling case. This dimensional change in heat transfer approach enables more uniform temperature distribution across all cells, eliminating the distance-dependent cooling inefficiency of fan-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the thermal management function from the cooling case structure itself, making the case walls directly responsible for heat exchange with battery cells. This extraction eliminates the need for separate active cooling components like fans and creates inherent passive cooling through the case design.
2Quantity of substance
If gradients are applied to intake duct to achieve uniform cooling, then cooling flow distribution improves, but design complexity increases and requires redesign when cell configuration changes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the intake duct to control cooling flow (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by modifying the battery cell arrangement and exposure to create uniform thermal contact with the cooling case. This reversal simplifies the cooling system by eliminating complex duct gradients.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling case serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables thermal management through direct contact, and facilitates uniform heat exchange across all battery cells. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate complex intake duct systems with gradients.
3Quantity of substance
If number of battery cells is increased, then battery capacity increases, but temperature deviation increases requiring redesign
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery pack into modular units with standardized cell arrangements that maintain optimal thermal characteristics. This segmentation allows scaling of battery capacity through modular addition while preserving uniform temperature distribution in each module through consistent cell-exposure design.
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 enhances heat exchange efficiency by allowing controlled exposure of battery cells to cooling members, improving temperature uniformity and reducing the need for frequent redesigns, thereby maintaining optimal operating temperatures across the battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
enables heat exchange through convection or conduction by exposing one or more sides of stacked battery cells
Implementation Method 2
enables heat exchange through convection or conduction by exposing one or more sides of stacked battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cooling case for a battery which includes a first case and a second case, and a space in which one or more of battery cells are housed, the first case including: a first coupling part configured to be coupled with the second case; and a first opening part opened therein so that one sides of battery cells housed in the cooling case are exposed to an outside, so as to cool the battery cells by a cooling member.