Battery Pack Flange and Fin Structure for Thermal Propagation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face issues with thermal propagation between modules due to heat conduction, leading to potential serial ignition and thermal runaway, and require effective heat dissipation while minimizing deformation from fastening loads.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack structure featuring a battery module with a protruding flange and a partition, connected by a heat sink fin with alternating ridges and valleys, which facilitates heat dissipation and prevents thermal conduction between modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the flange is fastened to the partition to fix the battery module, then the battery module is firmly fixed without movement, but thermal propagation occurs between modules through the fastening connection
Solution Approach 1:
A heat dissipation component is introduced as an intermediary between the flange and the partition. This intermediary component has high thermal conductivity to draw heat away from the fastening connection, preventing thermal propagation to adjacent modules while maintaining the mechanical fixing function. The heat dissipation component acts as a thermal bridge that redirects heat flow away from sensitive areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful thermal conduction path is extracted or removed from the fastening connection. By using a heat dissipation component with controlled thermal properties, the direct thermal coupling between the flange and partition is eliminated, separating the mechanical fastening function from the thermal conduction path.
2Reliability
If heat dissipation structures are added to prevent thermal propagation, then thermal safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat dissipation component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a thermal management element to prevent thermal propagation, provides structural support for the fastening connection, and facilitates heat transfer to cooling channels or sinks. By integrating multiple functions into a single component, the overall device complexity is minimized while achieving thermal safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat dissipation function is merged with the existing fastening structure. Rather than adding separate heat dissipation components, the design integrates thermal management features into the flange-partition connection system itself, combining mechanical fastening and thermal management into a unified structure.
3Temperature
If the heat sink fin is provided between the fastening surfaces, then heat dissipation is enhanced, but deformation occurs due to fastening load
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink fin structure is designed with varying local properties: the base portion near the fastening connection has higher rigidity and thickness to resist deformation from fastening loads, while the extended fin portions have optimized geometry for maximum heat dissipation surface area. This local differentiation allows the structure to simultaneously withstand mechanical loads and maximize thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sink fin is pre-formed with optimized geometry and material properties before assembly to withstand the anticipated fastening loads. The fin structure is designed in advance with appropriate stiffness characteristics, support features, or pre-stressed configurations to prevent deformation when the fastening load is applied during assembly.
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 structure stabilizes battery modules, prevents thermal propagation, and enhances heat dissipation through high thermal conductivity and large air contact areas, minimizing deformation and ensuring safety.
Implementation Method 1
heat sink fin provided between the first fastening surface and the second fastening surface
Implementation Method 2
dissipation of heat generated from a battery module into air may be facilitated
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a structure of a battery pack including: a battery module having a protruding flange with a first fastening surface; a partition having a second fastening surface facing the first fastening surface and fastened to the flange; and a heat sink fin provided between the first fastening surface and the second fastening surface and having a plurality of ridges and a plurality of valleys protruding and recessed in the fastening direction. The heat sink fin may be provided on the first fastening surface or the second fastening surface, or on a heat sink plate provided between the first fastening surface and the second fastening surface.