Battery Module Air Duct Hole Sizing for Uniform Cell Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules experience varying lifetimes due to uneven cooling, resulting in temperature differences between battery cells, which reduces the overall life expectancy of the module.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a stacked battery cell configuration with an air circulation duct having holes of varying sizes and an exhaust fan, along with an air cooling plate and partition walls, ensures uniform cooling by optimizing air flow and heat dissipation across the module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the duct length is increased to cool battery cells farther from the exhaust fan, then the cooling coverage area is improved, but the temperature uniformity deteriorates because cells far from the fan are not cooled as effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is designed with varying cross-sectional areas along its length, with the first section having a larger cross-sectional area than the second section. This local variation in geometry creates different flow characteristics in different regions, allowing cells at various positions to receive appropriate cooling airflow, thereby achieving both extended coverage and temperature uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional area parameter of the duct is changed along its length to optimize airflow distribution. By making the cross-sectional area of the first section larger than that of the second section, the system adjusts the flow rate and pressure distribution to ensure uniform cooling across all battery cells regardless of their position
2Device complexity
If conventional cooling systems are used with uniform duct design, then the device complexity is reduced, but the lifetime of battery cells deteriorates due to temperature differences
Solution Approach 1:
The duct incorporates a non-uniform cross-sectional area design where the first section has a larger area than the second section. This local structural differentiation improves cooling uniformity and battery cell lifetime without requiring multiple separate ducts or complex active control systems, thus maintaining relative simplicity
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 minimizes temperature differences between battery cells, thereby increasing the life expectancy of the battery module by ensuring uniform cooling regardless of the cell's position.
Implementation Method 1
an exhaust fan may be provided, and air may be moved by the exhaust fan to cool the battery cells
Implementation Method 2
an air circulation duct located between the battery cell stacks and having a plurality of holes formed therein; the plurality of holes of the air circulation duct have different sizes
Data Source
AI summary
Discussed are a battery module, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery module. A battery module may includes a plurality of battery cell stacks, each battery cell stack including a plurality of battery cells that are stacked therein, a case to accommodate the plurality of battery cell stacks, an air circulation duct between the plurality of battery cell stacks and having a plurality of holes formed therein, and an exhaust fan coupled to a side of the air circulation duct, wherein the plurality of holes of the air circulation duct may have different sizes.