Battery Cooling Fin Structure With Edge Coolant Conduit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling systems for large-sized battery modules, particularly in vehicles, face challenges such as increased size and weight due to complex coolant channel designs, mechanical strength issues, and high manufacturing costs, which can lead to coolant leakage and reduced cooling efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A cooling member with a plate-shaped cooling fin and a corrosion-resistant coolant conduit positioned along the outer edges of battery cells, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and compact module design, while minimizing the need for additional structural components and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a complex coolant channel design is used to remove heat from battery cells, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidcoolant channel design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is segmented into modular cooling members that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each cooling member contains simplified coolant channels that are easier to manufacture, and multiple cooling members work together to achieve the required cooling efficiency across the battery module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coolant channels are nested within the cooling members themselves, which are then positioned between battery cells. This integration eliminates the need for separate complex channel structures and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective heat removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If additional structural components are added to support coolant channels, then mechanical strength is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidstructural components

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling members combine multiple functions into a single component: they provide structural support between battery cells, contain coolant channels for heat removal, and offer mechanical strength without requiring additional separate structural components. This merging reduces overall device complexity and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If conventional coolant channels are used, then cooling function is provided, but reliability decreases due to potential coolant leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling functionVSAvoidcoolant leakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling members utilize flexible sealing structures and thin film barriers within the coolant channels to prevent leakage. These flexible elements can accommodate thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining seal integrity, thereby improving reliability without compromising the cooling function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Temperature

If high thermal conductivity material is used for cooling fin, then cooling efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling members utilize composite material structures that combine materials with different thermal conductivities in specific configurations. This allows the system to achieve high overall cooling efficiency while using cost-effective materials and reducing the need for expensive high-conductivity materials throughout the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution enhances cooling efficiency, prevents coolant leakage, and reduces manufacturing costs by using a corrosion-resistant material for the coolant conduit and a high thermal conductivity material for the cooling fin, ensuring durable and safe battery modules with improved mechanical strength and compact design.

Implementation Method 1

a plate-shaped cooling fin configured to have a structure in which two battery cell contact portions disposed in tight contact with outer sides of the battery cells... and a coolant conduit configured to have a hollow structure in which a coolant flows, the coolant conduit thermally contacting the cooling fin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2573861B1Cooling member having a novel structure, and battery module including same

Publication Date: 2015.06.17 LG CHEM LTD

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AI summary

Disclosed herein is a cooling member mounted between battery cells to remove heat generated from the battery cells during charge and discharge of the battery cells, wherein the cooling member includes a plate-shaped cooling fin configured to have a structure in which two battery cell contact portions disposed in tight contact with outer sides of the battery cells in a state in which the cooling fin is disposed between the respective battery cells are continuously formed in a horizontal direction (a lateral direction) and a coolant conduit configured to have a hollow structure in which a coolant flows, the coolant conduit thermally contacting the cooling fin, the coolant conduit being located at the outside of an electrode assembly receiving part of each of the battery cells when the cooling fin is disposed between the battery cells.