Battery Cell Cooling Seal Structure for High-Flow Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control devices for individual battery cells in modules face challenges in achieving sufficient sealing at higher flow velocities of temperature control fluids, requiring tight manufacturing tolerances and increased manufacturing effort, which can lead to leakage and deformation issues.
Innovation Solution
The design features identical molded sealing elements with separate circumferential edge seals and a seal compensation area, supported by pins and a flow divider to manage pressure and flow turbulence, allowing for improved sealing and reduced manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If higher flow velocities of temperature control fluid are used, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but sealing tightness deteriorates due to increased system pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a seal compensation area in the receiving groove that provides preemptive compensation for seal deformation caused by pressure increases. This compensation mechanism is built into the structure before assembly, allowing the seal to deform elastically into the compensation area when pressure rises, thereby maintaining sealing effectiveness even at higher flow velocities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and positioning parameters of the seal by providing a dedicated compensation area that allows controlled deformation. The seal transitions from a rigid fixed-position component to one that can elastically deform within the compensation area, adapting to pressure changes while maintaining sealing function.
2Reliability
If tight manufacturing tolerances are maintained for sealing elements, then sealing performance is improved, but manufacturing effort and cost increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sealing function into two independent parts: the sealing element and the seal compensation area. This segmentation allows the sealing element to be manufactured with standard tolerances while the compensation area provides the additional sealing assurance, eliminating the need for extremely tight tolerances on the sealing element itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal compensation area acts as an intermediary between the sealing element and the receiving groove, mediating the sealing function. Instead of requiring the sealing element to achieve perfect sealing through tight tolerances, the compensation area provides a buffer that ensures sealing performance even with standard manufacturing tolerances.
3Device complexity
If common circumferential edge seal is used for two sealing elements, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to alignment difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns separate circumferential edge seals to each sealing element instead of using a shared common seal. This segmentation eliminates the alignment issues between two sealing elements, as each seal is independently positioned and secured in its own receiving groove with standard tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses identical sealing elements with identical receiving grooves and edge seals for both sealing positions. This copying approach ensures that each sealing location has the same standardized structure, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining consistent sealing performance without complex alignment requirements.
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
This solution enhances sealing efficiency and reduces manufacturing effort while maintaining high sealing integrity at higher flow velocities, preventing leakage and ensuring uniform fluid distribution around battery cells.
Implementation Method 1
a seal compensation area is provided in the receiving groove on the inside of the base body adjoining the support surface. This area remains free when not assembled and enables a predefined deformation of the edge seals
Implementation Method 2
the base body forms a flow channel, running transversely to the joining axes, for a temperature control fluid for controlling the temperature of the battery cells
Implementation Method 3
temperature control fluid partially flows around the individual battery cells
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a temperature-control device for individual battery cells (2) which are combined into a module (1), comprising a main part (3) which has two seal elements (4, 5) that lie opposite each other and have passage openings (6) lying opposite each other in pairs for each joining axis in order to surround the periphery of the battery cells (2) and which forms a flow channel running transversely to the joining axes for a temperature-control fluid. The aim of the invention is to design a temperature-control device of the aforementioned type with which an increased seal of the device is achieved even with high flow speeds of the temperature-control fluid with little production complexity. This is achieved in that the seal elements (4, 5) are two identical molded parts which are aligned together in a point-symmetrical manner and which are connected together via a contact surface (7) so as to form the main part (3), wherein a receiving groove (9) which has a seal compensating region (8) adjoins the contact surface (7) on the inner face of the main part.