Battery Pack Cooling Layout With Guided Cell Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face challenges in effectively transferring heat due to narrow contact areas between heat sinks and battery cells, and discharging gases from pouch-type secondary batteries during thermal propagation, which hinders high energy density and rapid charging performance.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring alternating arrangements of battery cells and cooling members along intersecting directions, with spacers guiding gas flow in a preset direction, and a cooling system with enhanced contact areas for improved heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If edge cooling manner is used with heat sink positioned adjacent to edge portion of battery cell, then device complexity is reduced, but contact area between heat sink and battery cell is narrow making heat transfer ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from edge cooling (one-dimensional contact at the edge) to surface cooling (two-dimensional contact across the surface). The cooling plate is positioned to contact the entire surface of the battery cell rather than just the edge, fundamentally changing the cooling geometry from linear to planar contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling plate serves multiple functions: it provides thermal management by contacting the battery cell surface, acts as a structural support element, and facilitates gas venting through integrated flow paths. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components while improving cooling efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If pouch-type secondary battery structure is used, then energy density is improved, but it is difficult to discharge gases from the battery cell in a predetermined direction during thermal propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer acts as an intermediary component between the battery cell and the external environment. It provides a controlled interface for gas discharge, with integrated flow paths that guide gases in predetermined directions. The spacer mediates between the sealed pouch structure and the need for controlled venting during thermal events.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling plate and spacer are segmented with multiple flow paths and channels that divide and direct gas flow in specific directions. This segmentation allows controlled discharge of gases through predetermined routes rather than uncontrolled release, maintaining safety while preserving the pouch structure's energy density advantages.
3Temperature
If surface cooling manner is implemented with cooling plate contacting battery cell surface, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling plate with the spacer structure, combining thermal management and gas venting functions into a single integrated component. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, offsetting the increased complexity from the surface cooling approach while maintaining high cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling plate is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides surface cooling through thermal contact and facilitates gas venting through integrated flow paths. This universality reduces the need for additional dedicated venting components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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 achieves high energy density and excellent cooling efficiency, ensuring safe and efficient discharge of gases, thereby enhancing safety and performance in large-capacity battery systems.
Implementation Method 1
one or more cooling members disposed to face at least one of the plurality of cell units... excellent cooling efficiency
Implementation Method 2
one or more spacers disposed between the plurality of cell units and provided with one or more venting flow path parts through which a gas released from the one or more battery cells flows
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a battery pack comprising: a plurality of cell units, each comprising one or more battery cells: one or more spacers disposed between the plurality of cell units and each provided with one or more venting channels through which gas discharged from one or more of the battery cells can flow; and one or more cooling members arranged to face at least one cell unit from among the plurality of cell units, wherein the plurality of cell units and one or more cooling members are arranged along a first direction, and the plurality of cell units and one or more of the spacers are arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction.