Battery Module Cooling Channel Structure for Thermal Runaway Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules are prone to thermal runaway due to overheating, which can lead to explosions, as heat from an abnormal battery cell is transferred to adjacent cells, posing significant risks.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring multiple cooling channels on either side of the cells, with cooling fin units that include support ribs to stabilize the cooling channels and cells, and a mechanism to allow coolant flow through fin channels, enhancing cooling efficiency and preventing structural collapse during abnormal situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional battery modules are used without additional cooling structures, then the device complexity is low, but thermal runaway occurs when overheating happens in a battery cell
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channel is merged with the module housing to form an integrated structure. The housing itself serves as part of the cooling system, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining thermal runaway prevention capability
Solution Approach 2:
The module housing serves dual functions: structural support for the battery cells and cooling channel for thermal management. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while ensuring both mechanical stability and thermal safety
2Reliability
If cooling channels are provided without support ribs, then the device complexity is low, but the cooling channels may collapse during abnormal situations
Solution Approach 1:
The support ribs are integrated into the cooling channel structure as a unified component. The ribs are formed as part of the cooling channel assembly, providing structural reinforcement without requiring separate support components, thus maintaining reliability while minimizing device complexity
3Temperature
If multiple cooling channels are provided on both upper and lower sides of battery cells, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cooling channels on upper and lower sides are merged into the module housing structure. The housing incorporates all cooling channels as integral features rather than separate components, enabling efficient multi-directional cooling while avoiding the complexity of assembling multiple independent cooling elements
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 effectively prevents thermal runaway by maintaining cooling efficiency and structural integrity, reducing the risk of fire propagation and module collapse, thereby ensuring safer battery operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one cooling channel provided on at least one side of the plurality of battery cells and through which a coolant for cooling the plurality of battery cells flows
Implementation Method 2
at least one cooling fin unit disposed in contact with the at least one cooling channel
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, at least one cooling channel provided on at least one side of the plurality of battery cells and through which a coolant for cooling the plurality of battery cells flows, and at least one cooling fin unit disposed in contact with the at least one cooling channel and having at least one support rib for supporting the at least one cooling channel.