Battery Pack Cooling Channels for Uniform Liquid Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face issues with non-homogeneous thermal regulation due to deformation of the lower support plates under pressure, leading to leaks and loss of flow control, compromising the efficiency and safety of the battery pack.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design with transverse channels for temperature-regulating liquid having a closed cross-section defined within a rigid lower support structure, featuring narrow apertures aligned along the horizontal direction, ensuring uniform flow and preventing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If narrow apertures are used in the lower support plate to control liquid flow, then flow resistance increases and thermal regulation improves, but the support plate deforms under pressure causing leaks and loss of flow control
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is segmented into multiple ribs that are spaced apart from each other, creating a rigid structural framework. This segmentation distributes the pressure loads and prevents overall plate deformation while maintaining the narrow apertures for flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower support structure combines the support plate with longitudinal feet resting on the bottom wall and multiple parallel ribs extending between them. This composite structure integrates flow control functions (apertures in the plate) with structural support functions (ribs and feet), creating a unified rigid assembly that resists deformation under pressure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the lower support plate is made rigid to prevent deformation, then structural stability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than creating a monolithic rigid structure, the support plate is segmented into multiple ribs that are spaced apart. This segmentation achieves rigidity through the distributed framework while keeping individual rib components simpler to manufacture and assemble.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower support structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: the plate with apertures provides flow control, the ribs provide structural rigidity, and the longitudinal feet provide mounting support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
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 design maintains homogeneous thermal regulation and prevents structural deformations, reducing the risk of leaks and ensuring reliable flow control across all battery cells.
Implementation Method 1
a flow of a temperature-regulating liquid, typically a dielectric oil, which flows through the battery pack to maintain the battery cells within a determined temperature range
Implementation Method 2
narrow apertures...configured to provide a resistance to the flow sufficient to prevent a tendency of the temperature-regulating liquid to flow to a greater extent into the spaces between the battery cells that are closer to the feeding channel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
An electric battery pack (1) comprises a plurality of electric battery groups. Each group comprises a plurality of battery cells (4), arranged side by side along a first horizontal direction (X). The different groups of battery cells (4) are arranged in at least one row along a second horizontal direction (Y) orthogonal to the first horizontal direction (X). The battery pack (1) is configured to receive a flow of a temperature-regulating liquid that passes through the battery pack (1) so as to come into direct contact with the battery cells (4). A system for distributing the temperature-regulating liquid includes a longitudinal feeding channel (6) and a plurality of transverse channels (7) extending beneath each group of battery cells (4) along said first horizontal direction (X). The transverse channels (7) are defined by a lower support structure (5) on which the battery cells (4) are supported and including a lower wall (50), an upper wall (51) parallel to and spaced above the lower wall (50) and formed integrally, or rigidly connected, with said lower wall (50), and a plurality of internal ribs (5B) parallel to and spaced apart from each other extending along the first horizontal direction (X) between the lower wall (50) and the upper wall (51). Each transverse channel (7) has a closed cross-section, defined by the lower wall (50), the upper wall (51), and two of the internal ribs (5B) of the lower support structure (5). In the upper wall (51) of the lower support structure (5) are formed relatively narrow apertures (9) for communication with the spaces between the cells (4).