Battery Module Frame With Integrated Cooling for Low-Height Packaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems for mobile applications, such as electric vehicles, face challenges with bulky designs and high installation space requirements due to vertically stacked cells and external cooling systems, which are not suitable for compact mounting under vehicle floors.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with a rectangular frame structure incorporating internal coolant supply lines and ducts within traverses, allowing for efficient cooling and mechanical stabilization without external cooling means, reducing height and installation space needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If vertically stacked battery cells with external cooling systems are used, then cooling function is provided, but installation space requirements increase and height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling function with the mechanical support structure by integrating coolant channels directly into the frame beams and traverses. This merging eliminates the need for separate external cooling systems, thereby providing effective cooling while reducing overall installation space and height requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame beams and traverses serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical support for the battery cells, enable structural stabilization, and simultaneously function as cooling channels through integrated coolant flow paths. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated cooling components.
2Productivity
If vertically stacked battery cells are used, then battery system is formed, but height and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical stacking to horizontal arrangement of battery cells on traverses within a planar frame structure. This dimensional change from vertical to horizontal configuration reduces height requirements while maintaining battery system functionality and capacity.
3Volume of moving object
If coolant supply lines are integrated in frame beams and traverses, then cooling efficiency improves and installation space reduces, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are merged with the structural frame beams and traverses, combining thermal management functionality with mechanical support structure. This integration reduces overall system volume while the modular frame design keeps structural complexity manageable.
4Stability of the object's composition
If traverses are assembled to frame beams for mechanical stabilization, then structural integrity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into modular components (frame beams, traverses, battery cells) that can be independently assembled and stabilized. This segmentation provides mechanical stability through distributed support points while keeping individual components relatively simple.
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 solution provides a compact, lightweight battery system with improved cooling efficiency and reduced installation space requirements, enabling efficient power generation and extended battery life while maintaining mechanical integrity and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
at least one traverse (70) comprises a coolant duct (71) that is fluidly connected to the coolant supply lines (77)... effectively cooling the plurality of aligned battery cells (80)
Implementation Method 2
coolant supply lines (77) that are configured for being connected to an external coolant circuit... coolant flows through the coolant duct
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a battery system (100) that comprises a system frame (97) with a pair of first frame beams (74) extending in a first direction and being connected to a pair of second frame beams (75) extending in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A plurality of traverses (70) is spaced apart in the first direction and is respectively assembled to the pair of first frame beams (74). The battery system 100 further comprises a plurality of battery modules (90), each battery module (90) being assembled to at least one traverse (70) and comprising a plurality of aligned battery cells (80) arranged in the second direction. According to the present invention, the first frame beams (74) comprise coolant supply lines (77) and at least one traverse (70) comprises a coolant duct (71) that is fluidly connected to the coolant supply lines (77). According to the present invention, the traverses (70) provide mechanical integrity to the system frame (97) and provide coolant to at least one side surface of each of the aligned battery cells (80). Thus, a light weight battery system (100) with reduced height and improved installation space requirements is provided.