EV Battery Cell Heat Pipe Cooling for Uniform Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cooling systems for electrical and hybrid vehicles often result in temperature gradients and hot spots due to inadequate heat distribution, particularly during fast charging, and are either expensive or inefficient in maintaining a compact, high-energy-density design.
Innovation Solution
A battery design incorporating a cooling plate with a passive cooling system featuring a loop heat pipe or oscillating heat pipe, along with phase change materials and an active cooling system, to absorb and dissipate heat evenly across the electrochemical cells, reducing temperature gradients and maintaining compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If large cooling plates are installed at the bottom of the modules, then heat removal capability is improved, but temperature gradients and hot spots increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling channels, with each channel serving specific battery modules. This segmentation allows for localized heat removal and better temperature distribution across different regions of the battery pack, preventing hot spots while maintaining effective heat removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling plate design incorporates varying thermal conductivity materials and non-uniform channel distributions to match the local heat generation characteristics of different battery regions. Areas with higher heat generation receive enhanced cooling, while lower heat generation areas receive proportionally less cooling, thereby maintaining uniform temperature distribution across the entire battery pack.
2Temperature
If cooling plates are installed in between the battery cells, then temperature distribution homogeneity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plates are merged with the battery module structures, forming an integrated thermal management system. The cooling channels are embedded within the module housing or structural components, eliminating the need for separate, standalone cooling plates between cells. This integration reduces part count, simplifies assembly, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining effective heat distribution and temperature homogeneity.
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 effectively reduces the risk of hot spots and temperature gradients, enhancing battery longevity and energy density while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
a first passive cooling system comprising at least a loop heat pipe, an oscillating heat pipe, or a heat pipe, the first passive cooling system comprising an evaporator located in the first plate and adapted for absorbing heat from the first plate, and a condenser located in the second plate and adapted for releasing heat to the second plate
Implementation Method 2
a first passive cooling system comprising at least a loop heat pipe, an oscillating heat pipe, or a heat pipe, the first passive cooling system comprising an evaporator located in the first plate and adapted for absorbing heat from the first plate, and a condenser located in the second plate and adapted for releasing heat to the second plate
Implementation Method 3
a first passive cooling system comprising at least a loop heat pipe, an oscillating heat pipe, or a heat pipe
Implementation Method 4
each of the electrochemical cells further includes at least a phase change material within the first plate and the second plate, the phase change material has a melting temperature comprised between 10°C and 120°C
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery for an electrical or hybrid vehicle, comprising: - a cooling plate, - a set of electrochemical cells (14B), each of the electrochemical cells including: - a stack of electrochemical elements, - a casing (24) comprising a first part (26) and a second part (28) opposite each other, and a third part (30) and a fourth part (32) opposite each other, - a first plate (34) formed by, or in plane contact with the first part, and in thermal contact with the stack, - a second plate (36) formed by, or in plane contact with the third part, and in thermal contact with the stack and the cooling plate, - a first passive cooling system (40) comprising at least a loop heat pipe (42), an oscillating heat pipe, or a heat pipe, comprising an evaporator (44) in the first plate and a condenser (46) in the second plate.