Battery Cooling Channel Layout to Limit Thermal Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems face challenges in effectively managing thermal runaway, as thermal propagation can occur through both conduction and convection via the cooling system, potentially leading to damage or fire.
Innovation Solution
A battery system design where battery units are arranged in rows, with non-adjacent units connected in series via cooling channels, separating heat conduction and convection pathways to distribute thermal energy to a larger heat capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adjacent battery units are connected in series via cooling channels, then cooling efficiency is improved, but thermal propagation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into independent cooling channels for adjacent battery units. Each battery unit has its own separate cooling channel that does not directly connect to neighboring units, preventing thermal propagation while maintaining effective cooling. Non-adjacent units (e.g., unit 1 and unit 3) are connected through common cooling channels, allowing heat distribution to larger heat capacity without direct adjacent thermal pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal isolation structure or thermal barrier is introduced between adjacent battery units to prevent direct thermal conduction. The cooling channels use intermediate cooling fluid pathways that allow heat removal without creating direct thermal conduction paths between neighboring battery units, thus acting as a mediator that enables cooling while blocking harmful thermal propagation.
2Productivity
If cooling channels are configured to cool multiple battery units, then thermal management efficiency is improved, but heat conduction pathways between units are created
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separate cooling zones for adjacent battery units, with independent cooling channels for each unit. Non-adjacent units share common cooling channels, allowing efficient thermal management of multiple units while preventing direct heat conduction between adjacent units through segmentation of the cooling pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channel configuration transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement where adjacent units share channels to a three-dimensional configuration where cooling channels are routed through non-adjacent units only. This dimensional reorganization allows thermal management of multiple units without creating direct heat conduction pathways between adjacent units.
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 design reduces the risk of thermal propagation and enhances the system's ability to handle thermal runaway by isolating heat transfer between units, preventing adjacent units from overheating.
Implementation Method 1
the cooling fluid itself may be heated to critical temperatures. Such thermal propagation is often overlooked in known battery systems.
Implementation Method 2
thermal propagation can occur through both conduction and convection via the cooling system
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure refers to a battery system (100, 100'), including at least three battery units (10), each battery unit (10) including one or more battery cells and a cooling channel segment (26), the cooling channel segment (26) forming part of a cooling circuit of the battery system (100), wherein the battery units (10) are arranged in at least one row (R1, R2) such that each of the battery units (10) faces at least one of the other battery units (10) of the same or of another row, wherein at least two of the battery units (10) are connected in series with one another via their cooling channel segments (26), wherein only those battery units (10) that do not face each other are connected in series.