Battery Module Fin Channels for Low-Complexity Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules are inefficient in dissipating thermal energy, which can lead to increased temperatures and affect the operation of components within the housing, and are often complex and costly to implement.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with a housing featuring a grid of fins that absorb and dissipate thermal energy through natural convection, with channels to facilitate air flow and a heat sink for enhanced thermal management, integrated into the module to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If existing thermal management features are used, then thermal energy can be transferred to heat sink, but the system is expensive and complex to incorporate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the thermal management functionality directly into the housing structure by integrating fins and heat sink features into the housing walls. This merging of thermal management components with the housing eliminates the need for separate, complex thermal management systems while maintaining effective heat dissipation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural containment for the battery cell and simultaneously acts as a thermal management system through integrated fins and heat sink features. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity and cost by eliminating dedicated thermal management components.
2Temperature
If existing thermal management features are used, then thermal energy can be transferred, but the features are inefficient at removing thermal energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends thermal management from a two-dimensional surface contact to a three-dimensional structure by adding fins that protrude from the housing walls. This dimensional extension significantly increases the surface area available for heat transfer, thereby improving thermal energy removal efficiency and dissipation rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system is segmented into multiple fins distributed across the housing surface, each acting as an independent heat dissipation element. This segmentation increases the total heat transfer surface area and improves overall thermal energy removal efficiency compared to a single large heat sink.
3Temperature
If thermal energy dissipation is improved, then temperature management improves, but the housing structure may compromise stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The fins are strategically positioned and dimensioned to provide thermal management only where heat dissipation is needed, while maintaining full structural integrity in load-bearing areas. This local application of thermal management features preserves housing stiffness in critical regions while achieving effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed as a composite structure combining thermally conductive materials for heat dissipation with structurally robust materials for maintaining stiffness. This composite approach allows simultaneous optimization of thermal management performance and mechanical strength.
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 grid of fins effectively increases thermal dissipation, improving the efficiency of the battery module by balancing surface area, stiffness, and air flow, while the heat sink further enhances thermal energy transfer, leading to better temperature management and reduced operational risks.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of fins extending from the wall, where the plurality of fins is configured to absorb thermal energy from the battery cell and dissipate the thermal energy to air
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of fins is configured to absorb thermal energy from the battery cell and dissipate the thermal energy to air
Implementation Method 3
a heat sink for enhanced thermal management, integrated into the module
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system includes a housing configured to receive a battery cell, where the battery cell is configured to output thermal energy as a byproduct of electrical energy generation and/or consumption, a wall of the housing positioned proximate to the battery cell, and a plurality of fins extending from the wall, where the plurality of fins is configured to absorb thermal energy from the battery cell and dissipate the thermal energy to air, or a heat sink, or both, and where a fin of the plurality of fins comprises a channel configured to facilitate a flow of the air between the fin of the plurality of fins and an adjacent fin of the plurality of fins.