Battery Module End Plate Insulation for Temperature Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery modules experience poor temperature uniformity and short service life due to high thermal conductivity of metal end plates, leading to inefficient heat transfer and potential damage to heat insulation components.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating electric insulation components with detachable heat insulation components made of materials like epoxy resin, plastic, or ceramic, which are connected to the end plates via mounting portions and fasteners, reducing heat conduction efficiency and allowing for easy replacement of damaged components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal end plates are used to clamp the batteries, then the structural strength and rigidity are improved, but the thermal conductivity increases causing poor temperature uniformity of the batteries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidtemperature uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces heat insulation components as intermediary elements between the metal end plates and the batteries. These components act as thermal mediators that block excessive heat transfer from the high thermal conductivity end plates to the batteries, thereby improving temperature uniformity while preserving the structural strength of the metal end plates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures by combining metal end plates with heat insulation materials (such as thermal insulation gaskets or insulating layers). This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve the mechanical strength of metal and the thermal insulation properties of non-metallic materials, resolving the contradiction between strength and temperature uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If heat insulation components are integrated permanently into the end plates, then the temperature uniformity is improved, but the service life decreases due to difficulty in replacing damaged components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the heat insulation components from the end plate structure, designing them as separate, replaceable parts rather than permanent integrations. This segmentation allows the heat insulation components to be easily removed and replaced when damaged, extending the overall service life of the battery module while maintaining the temperature uniformity benefits throughout the component's service period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic replaceability to the heat insulation components, transforming them from static, permanent parts to dynamic, serviceable components. This allows the system to adapt to wear and damage over time by enabling component replacement, thereby extending the operational lifespan of the battery module while preserving the thermal insulation function during each service cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Duration of action of stationary object

If heat insulation components are made detachable for easy replacement, then the service life is extended, but the device complexity increases due to additional mounting portions and fasteners

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the battery module assembly into distinct, modular segments including the end plates, mounting portions, fasteners, and heat insulation components. This segmentation enables the heat insulation components to be independently replaced without disassembling the entire battery module, extending service life while keeping the added complexity localized to simple, standardized connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting portions and fasteners designed in the patent serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical attachment, enable easy detachment for replacement, and maintain structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby extending service life through easy replacement while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution improves temperature uniformity within the battery module by reducing heat conduction and extends the service life by enabling timely replacement of heat insulation components, thus enhancing operational reliability.

Implementation Method 1

at least one heat insulation component disposed below the end plate and connected to a bottom of the end plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3703152B1Battery module
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP3703152B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3703152B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3703152B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a battery module, including: a plurality of batteries that is stacked; an end plate disposed at an end of the plurality of batteries in a direction, along which the plurality of batteries are stacked; an electric insulation component disposed between the end plate and a battery of the plurality of batteries adjacent to the end plate, the electric insulation component comprising at least one mounting portion; and at least one heat insulation component disposed below the end plate and connected to a bottom of the end plate. Each of the at least one heat insulation component is detachably connected to a corresponding one of the at least one mounting portion.