Battery Module Cooling Plates With Shared End-Plate Flow Paths
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery module cooling systems are not compact enough to efficiently cool multiple battery packs within a constrained space, leading to inefficiencies in thermal management and increased size requirements.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with internal channels in cooling plates and connecting tubes between end plates, forming a closed cooling cycle that allows for efficient fluid circulation and reduced space usage, incorporating a tension strap for adaptation and spacers for improved contact and alignment, enabling modular expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cooling cycles are provided for each battery pack, then each battery pack can be cooled independently, but the overall system size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate cooling cycles into a single integrated cooling system. The cooling plates from different battery packs are connected through common end plates with connecting tubes, forming one unified cooling circuit that serves multiple battery packs simultaneously. This reduces the number of separate fluid supply and drain systems needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The end plates serve multiple functions: they act as structural end caps for the battery module, provide connecting tubes for cooling fluid distribution, and contain cavities that facilitate thermal coupling between adjacent cooling plates. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
2Reliability
If separate cooling cycles are provided for each battery pack, then each battery pack can be cooled independently, but the space required for the cooling system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent cooling plates are thermally coupled through connecting tubes integrated into the end plates, allowing a single cooling fluid circuit to serve multiple battery packs. This eliminates the need for separate cooling systems for each pack, reducing overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting tubes are integrated within the end plate structure, and the cavities in the end plates are positioned to utilize the space between adjacent cooling plates. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization and minimizes the overall cooling system volume.
3Reliability
If cooling plates are arranged on opposing side surfaces, then cooling coverage is improved, but the space for fluid connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end plates act as intermediary components that thermally and fluidly connect adjacent cooling plates. The connecting tubes within the end plates provide a compact pathway for cooling fluid to reach opposing cooling plates, eliminating the need for extensive external piping.
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 system provides effective cooling for battery packs in a compact design, allowing for increased capacity and efficiency within limited spaces, with modular scalability and reduced need for separate cooling systems for each battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling plates are provided with external cooling pipes conducting a fluid. The cooling pipes are fixed onto the cooling plates to form a cooling cycle. Thus, the fluid flowing through the cooling pipes cools the cooling plates, which in turn cools the battery cells of the battery pack.
Implementation Method 2
the fluid flowing through the cooling pipes cools the cooling plates, which in turn cools the battery cells of the battery pack
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~10
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling system (104) for a battery module (100), comprising: cooling plates (112), each having at least one internal cooling channel (122) and configured to be arranged on side surfaces of the battery module (100) extending in a longitudinal direction (L); end plates (114) configured to be arranged on end faces of the battery module (100) extending in a width direction (W), each of the end plates (114) comprising connecting tubes (118) configured to be sealably connectable with the internal cooling channel (122) of each cooling plate (112), to form a cooling cycle; a first end plate (116) comprising a connecting cavity (117) fluidly connecting the cooling channels (122) of the opposing cooling plates (112) with each other, a second end plate (138) comprising a first cavity (139) and a second cavity (141), both being fluidly separated from each other, each cavity being fluidly connected to the cooling channels (122) of one of the cooling plates (112), the second end plate (138) further comprising an input port (142) configured as an inlet for a cooling fluid and an output port (144) as an outlet for the cooling fluid; and the input port (142) being provided in the first cavity (139) and the output port (144) being provided in the second cavity (141). Further, the invention relates to a battery module (100) including such cooling system (104).