Modular Battery Enclosure with Integrated Fluid Pathways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery systems face challenges in thermal management, leading to reduced efficiency and potential damage due to excessive heat generation during charging and discharging, especially in energy storage applications like electric vehicles, where lithium-ion batteries are used.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with a modular enclosure structure that integrates fluid pathways for thermal regulation, allowing for the circulation of a cooling fluid to manage temperature effectively, reducing the need for separate thermal management systems and minimizing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate thermal management system is added to manage battery heat, then temperature control effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the thermal management function directly into the battery enclosure structure. The enclosure walls contain embedded fluid pathways that allow cooling fluid to circulate through the battery pack, combining the structural enclosure and thermal management functions into a single integrated component rather than separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery enclosure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural containment for the batteries and electrical interconnects, while also serving as the thermal management system through integrated fluid pathways. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate cooling system components.
2Temperature
If a separate thermal management system is added to manage battery heat, then temperature control effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management function is merged into the enclosure structure itself. The fluid pathways are formed as integral features of the enclosure walls, eliminating the need to manufacture and assemble separate cooling plates, channels, or thermal management components, thereby reducing manufacturing steps and costs.
3Use of energy by moving object
If excessive heat is generated by battery charging and discharging, then energy storage capacity is improved, but battery reliability and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated during battery operation into a manageable thermal flow. By embedding fluid pathways within the enclosure walls, the system channels heat away from the batteries through circulating cooling fluid, transforming the harmful thermal effect into a controlled thermal management process that protects battery safety while maintaining high energy storage capacity.
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 integrated thermal management system maintains consistent temperatures across battery packs, enhancing efficiency, reducing the risk of thermal runaway, and extending the lifespan of energy storage systems while minimizing additional costs and weight.
Implementation Method 1
A cooling fluid may be circulated through the fluid pathways to provide thermal regulation of the battery assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system is disclosed herein that includes a battery enclosure and a battery assembly contained within or substantially surrounded by the enclosure. The enclosure may include enclosure walls having fluid pathways defined therein. In an example, enclosure walls are formed from multiple instances of a repeating modular wall component. A cooling fluid may be circulated through the fluid pathways to provide thermal regulation of the battery assembly. The battery assembly may include one or more electric batteries. An example battery assembly includes a plurality of batteries that are organized into rows. These rows of batteries may be electrically interconnected with each other by electrically conductive strips to form a battery pack. The battery system may be used to provide energy storage within the context of automotive applications or other electronic systems.