Inter-Cell Cooling Member Layout for Battery Swelling Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-performance secondary batteries generate heat during operation, leading to potential performance degradation and safety issues if not properly managed.

Innovation Solution

A battery assembly and pack that incorporates a cooling member with a coolant flow path, inlet, and outlet to effectively cool battery cells, while also utilizing space efficiently to prevent swelling issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a cooling member is added to cool battery cells, then heat management is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery cell temperatureVSAvoidbattery assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling member is integrated between battery cells to combine cooling function with structural support, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems and reducing overall device complexity while effectively managing battery cell temperature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling member serves multiple functions including heat dissipation, structural support, and space utilization within the battery assembly, allowing a single component to address multiple requirements simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If cooling member with flow path is introduced, then cooling efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidcooling member fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling member incorporates a porous structure with flow paths that allow coolant circulation while maintaining structural integrity, enabling effective heat dissipation through the porous material's high surface area to volume ratio

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling member is made from composite materials that combine thermal conductivity properties with structural requirements, allowing efficient heat transfer while simplifying manufacturing through material properties rather than complex geometric features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If space is utilized for cooling member, then cooling performance is improved, but available volume for battery cells decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidbattery cell accommodation space

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling member is nested between battery cells in the existing assembly structure, utilizing inter-cell spaces that would otherwise be empty, thereby providing cooling functionality without requiring additional external volume or reducing battery cell accommodation space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 minimizes performance degradation and safety issues caused by heat, prevents swelling problems, and enhances cooling efficiency by appropriate space utilization.

Implementation Method 1

a coolant flow path configured to allow coolant to flow therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The coolant flowing through the coolant flow path may absorb heat generated by at least a portion of the multiple battery cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20250167344A1Battery assembly and battery pack

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A battery assembly includes multiple battery cells, and a cooling member interposed between the multiple battery cells. The cooling member includes a main body including a coolant flow path that allows coolant to flow therein, an inlet that communicates with the coolant flow path and allows the coolant to flow in, and an outlet that communicates with the coolant flow path and allows the coolant to flow out. The inlet and the outlet extend from one surface of the main body corresponding to a venting direction of the multiple battery cells.