Battery Assembly Cooling Structure With Integrated Fluid Flowpaths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rechargeable energy storage systems face challenges in effectively managing heat dissipation from battery cells, which can impact performance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A battery assembly with an integrated circuit board (ICB) assembly featuring a cooling structure that includes a main body with cooling fluid flowpaths to remove heat from battery cells, utilizing thermal barriers and thermal bridge plates for efficient heat transfer, and a closed-loop cooling system with heat exchangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling fluid flowpaths are integrated into the ICB assembly, then heat removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling structure is merged with the ICB assembly by integrating cooling fluid flowpaths directly into the circuit board structure. The ICB assembly serves dual functions as both electrical connection component and cooling system, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing overall device complexity while improving heat removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The ICB assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: electrical connection between battery cells and multi-functionality as a thermal management system. The circuit board structure serves as both the electrical pathway and the cooling fluid pathway, allowing a single component to handle both electrical and thermal management tasks.
2Temperature
If thermal barriers are disposed between cooling flowpath portions, then thermal management precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal barriers are strategically placed at specific locations within the cooling structure where temperature control is critical. The thermal barriers are disposed between different portions of the cooling flowpaths to prevent unwanted heat transfer in specific regions, allowing precise thermal management at critical interfaces while maintaining simpler construction in other areas.
3Temperature
If multiple cooling flowpaths are arranged adjacent to each other, then heat removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cooling flowpaths are arranged in a planar configuration within the ICB assembly rather than stacking them vertically or using complex three-dimensional arrangements. The flowpaths are distributed across the circuit board surface in an organized pattern that maximizes cooling coverage while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and avoiding complex spatial relationships.
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 provides effective heat management, enhancing the performance and safety of rechargeable energy storage systems by maintaining optimal operating temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling structure thermally coupled to the battery cells. The cooling structure comprises a main body defining at least one cooling fluid flowpath configured to have cooling fluid pass therethrough to remove heat from the battery cells
Implementation Method 2
a thermal interface material is disposed between and in contact with the can and the cooling structure to transfer heat from the can to the cooling structure
Data Source
AI summary
A battery assembly defines a first axis, a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis and includes a plurality of battery cells arranged along the third axis, and an integrated circuit board (ICB) assembly disposed adjacent to the battery cells along the first axis and electrically coupled to the plurality of battery cells. The ICB assembly includes a cooling structure thermally coupled to the battery cells. The cooling structure includes a main body defining at least one cooling fluid flowpath configured to have cooling fluid pass therethrough to remove heat from the battery cells.