Multi-Layer Battery Cooling Structure for Impact Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electricity storage devices with integrated cooling systems are prone to damage when subjected to impact forces from uneven road surfaces, as these forces are transmitted through the cooling device's structural members to the battery module, potentially causing adverse effects such as damage to the battery module.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a cooling device with offset walls and varying cross-sectional areas in cooling channels to dissipate impact forces, reducing the likelihood of force transmission to the battery module by allowing deformation and minimizing contact between structural elements, thus protecting the electricity storage module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the cooling device uses walls to connect the first planar member and the second planar member, then the structural integrity is improved, but the impact force is transmitted to the battery module

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidimpact force transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling device is divided into multiple cooling layers (first cooling layer, second cooling layer, third cooling layer) with cooling channels in each layer. The walls in different layers are offset from each other, creating a segmented structure that interrupts the transmission path of impact forces while maintaining cooling functionality through the distributed cooling channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple cooling layers are nested within the cooling device structure, with each layer containing cooling channels and walls. The offset arrangement of walls across nested layers creates a hierarchical structure that absorbs and dissipates impact energy at multiple levels, preventing force transmission to the battery module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If the cooling channels have uniform cross-sectional area, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the impact force dissipation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidimpact force

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling channels have non-uniform cross-sectional areas, with different sections having different dimensions. This local variation in geometry allows specific regions to absorb and dissipate impact forces more effectively, while the overall structure remains manufacturable using standard techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11830994B2Electricity storage device including a plurality of cooling layers

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

An electricity storage device includes an electricity storage module and a cooling device disposed adjacent to the electricity storage module. The cooling device includes a first cooling layer that is adjacent to the electricity storage module and a second cooling layer that is located on the opposite side of the first cooling layer from the electricity storage module. In the first cooling layer, a plurality of first cooling channels that is disposed at intervals in an array direction and first walls that are located between the first cooling channels are formed. In the second cooling layer, a plurality of second cooling channels that is disposed at intervals in the array direction and second walls that are located between the second cooling channels are formed. At least some of the first walls are disposed so as to be offset from the second walls.