Integrated Battery Support Structure for Cooling and Degassing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage devices for electric vehicles face challenges in efficient temperature control and degassing, leading to increased assembly complexity and risk of thermal runaway, which can result in fires due to the direct connection of cell connectors to control electronics and unprotected circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
A compact, integrated support structure with both temperature control and degassing channels molded into a single component, reducing assembly effort and installation space, while providing a controlled degassing mechanism and protecting electronics from thermal and chemical influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate modules are used for temperature control and degassing, then functional reliability is improved, but device complexity and assembly effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines temperature control channels and degassing channels into a single integrated support structure. This merging of previously separate functional elements into one component reduces the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining the functional reliability of both temperature management and degassing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, conducts temperature control through integrated channels, and enables degassing through separate integrated channels. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
2Device complexity
If cell connectors are directly connected to control electronics, then electrical connection is simplified, but safety deteriorates due to thermal runaway risk
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure serves as an intermediary element between the cell connectors and control electronics. It provides thermal management channels that can actively cool the cell connectors, and degassing channels that can redirect harmful gases away from the control electronics, thereby mediating the thermal and chemical hazards in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated temperature control channels enable preliminary cooling action before thermal runaway can occur. The system can detect temperature increases and activate cooling through the support structure channels to prevent the harmful thermal runaway condition from developing in the first place.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If degassing openings are provided in energy storage cells, then gas escape is enabled, but harmful factors increase due to electrolyte reaction with water forming hydrofluoric acid
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure acts as an intermediary degassing system that receives gases from the energy storage cells through controlled openings. It provides a dedicated pathway for gas evacuation that separates the harmful gases and electrolyte vapors from the surrounding environment and control electronics, reducing the risk of hydrofluoric acid formation and its harmful effects.
4Ease of manufacture
If circuit boards are unprotected, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to exposure to thermal and chemical influences
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure serves as a protective intermediary between the energy storage cells and the circuit board. It positions the circuit board at a distance from the cells and provides thermal management and degassing channels that prevent direct exposure to extreme temperatures and harmful chemicals, thereby protecting the circuit board without requiring additional protective coatings or enclosures.
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 solution enhances the functional reliability and safety of energy storage devices by reducing assembly complexity, minimizing installation space, and ensuring controlled gas discharge during thermal runaway, thereby preventing fires and protecting critical components.
Implementation Method 1
at least one temperature control channel (131) for conducting a fluid for controlling a temperature of the energy storage device (3)
Implementation Method 2
at least one degassing channel (132) integrated into the support structure (13) for discharging gases escaping from the energy storage cells (2a, 2b, 2z)
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature control and degassing arrangement for energy storage cells of an energy storage device, in particular an energy storage device for a vehicle, contains: a support structure with at least one temperature control channel for conducting a fluid for controlling the temperature of the energy storage device. The support structure has a first side facing the energy storage device and a second side facing away from the energy storage device. The support structure has at least one degassing channel integrated into the support structure for discharging gases escaping from the energy storage cells.