Battery Cooling Layout With Coolant Leak Containment

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy storage systems using water cooling methods are prone to coolant leaks, which can damage the system and pose safety risks due to potential fires.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a blocking portion with a blocking member and an accommodation portion to contain leaked coolant, preventing it from escaping the container and causing damage or safety hazards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a water cooling method is used to cool the battery module, then cooling efficiency and temperature management are improved, but the risk of coolant leakage and subsequent system damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature managementVSAvoidsystem safety

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into a first space (for battery modules and cooling lines) and a second space (for control modules and power cables) separated by a partition wall. This segmentation isolates the coolant to the first space, preventing it from reaching sensitive components in the second space even if leakage occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A blocking portion is introduced as an intermediary structure between the cooling line and the control module. This blocking portion includes a blocking member that physically blocks coolant flow paths and an accommodation portion that captures leaked coolant, preventing direct contact between coolant and sensitive components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the cooling line is positioned close to the battery module for efficient cooling, then cooling performance is improved, but the risk of coolant leakage to sensitive components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidcoolant leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into a first space (for battery modules and cooling lines) and a second space (for control modules and power cables) separated by a partition wall. This segmentation isolates the coolant to the first space, preventing it from reaching sensitive components in the second space even if leakage occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A blocking portion is introduced as an intermediary structure between the cooling line and the control module. This blocking portion includes a blocking member that physically blocks coolant flow paths and an accommodation portion that captures leaked coolant, preventing direct contact between coolant and sensitive components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If coolant leaks to the outside of the container, then cooling function is compromised, but fire hazards and casualties may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling functionVSAvoidfire hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The accommodation portion is designed to capture and contain leaked coolant, converting the harmful effect of leakage into a controlled situation. The leaked coolant is redirected into the accommodation portion where it is safely contained and can be drained through a drain hole, preventing fire hazards while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking portion acts as an intermediary structure that intercepts leaked coolant before it can escape the container. The accommodation portion serves as an intermediate containment space that safely holds the leaked coolant, preventing direct contact with external environments and eliminating fire hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively reduces the risk of system damage and safety hazards by containing leaked coolant, ensuring the integrity and safety of the energy storage system.

Implementation Method 1

a blocking portion configured to block the coolant from leaking to an outside of the container... an accommodation portion in the blocking member and is configured to accommodate the coolant leaking from the battery module or the cooling line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS20250293345A1Energy storage system

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

AI summary

An energy storage system includes a container, a rack frame inside the container, a battery module configured to be stored in the rack frame, a cooling line that is connected to the battery module and configured to allow coolant to circulate through the battery module, and a blocking portion configured to block the coolant from leaking to an outside of the container.