Battery Housing With Dual Thermal Paths for Cells and Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems face challenges in efficiently managing temperature control across various components, leading to potential overheating and reduced performance, especially in high-power applications, where lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery cells require both heating and cooling to prevent aging and decomposition.
Innovation Solution
A battery design featuring two temperature control structures within separate housing elements allows for independent temperature management of battery cells and power electronics, utilizing a thermally conductive layout with metallic components and fluid receptacles to optimize heat dissipation and minimize thermal resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single temperature control system is used for the battery module, then the structure is simple, but the temperature control precision for different components is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control system is segmented into two independent subsystems: a first temperature control system for battery cells and a second temperature control system for power electronics components. Each subsystem has its own temperature control unit and fluid circulation path, allowing independent optimization of temperature control for each component type without compromising overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different temperature control strategies are applied to different locations: the first temperature control unit uses cooling plates positioned adjacent to battery cells, while the second temperature control unit uses a heat sink with thermal conductive paste for power electronics. This local differentiation ensures each component receives appropriate temperature management tailored to its specific thermal requirements.
2Temperature
If battery cells are cooled efficiently, then temperature control is improved, but thermal paths become long and compact design is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control structures are nested within the battery pack housing: cooling plates are integrated directly into the housing structure and positioned adjacent to battery cells, while the heat sink is incorporated into the same housing. This nesting approach creates short thermal paths from heat-generating components to cooling structures, enabling efficient heat dissipation without increasing overall pack dimensions.
3Reliability
If power electronics components are temperature controlled separately, then temperature control optimization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, contains the battery cells, and integrates the temperature control structures (cooling plates and heat sink). The temperature control fluid circulates through passages in the housing itself, combining structural and thermal management functions into a single integrated system, thereby minimizing additional complexity.
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 enables efficient and independent temperature control of battery cells and power electronics, preventing overheating and extending battery life by maintaining cells within a non-critical temperature range, thus enhancing safety and performance.
Implementation Method 1
The first housing element forms a first temperature control structure on a side facing away from the interior... The second housing element forms a second temperature control structure on a side facing away from the interior... the temperature control fluid can flow around it
Implementation Method 2
a water/glycol mixture is passed through cooling plates arranged beneath the battery module... The cooling plate can be connected to a corresponding component of a cooling circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a battery comprising a first housing element (2) and a second housing element (3), which together form an interior space (5) for receiving a battery module (10), wherein a plurality of electrically conductive battery cells (6) of the battery module (10) are arranged in the interior space (5) in series and/or in parallel, wherein the plurality of battery cells (6) are in particular prismatically designed, and wherein a first element (8) of a battery controller is further arranged in the interior space (5), wherein the first housing element (2) forms a first temperature control structure (101) on a side facing away from the interior space (5) and in particular from the second housing element (3), wherein the second housing element (3) forms a second temperature control structure (102) on a side facing away from the interior space (5) and in particular from the first housing element (2), and a cover element (100) is connected to the second housing element (3) in such a manner.that the cover element (100) defines a temperature control fluid receptacle (112) through which the temperature control fluid flows, and the second temperature control structure (102) is designed to allow the temperature control fluid to flow around it, wherein the cover element (100) is planar and made of a metal or has a deformation for receiving a second element (9) of the battery control.