Battery Module Heat Pipe Layout for Lightweight Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules suffer from low cooling efficiency and increased weight due to indirect cooling methods and separate heat sinks, which are not adequate for high-specification battery modules.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design incorporating heat pipes with a rectangular shape made of multiple sections, integrated within a casing that provides both electrical connections and improved temperature distribution, eliminating the need for separate wiring and additional weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional heat sink is separately mounted outside the battery module to indirectly cool the battery module, then the battery module can be cooled, but the cooling efficiency is low and the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe is integrated directly into the battery module structure, merging the thermal management function with the battery housing. This eliminates the need for separate external heat sinks and mounting hardware, reducing overall weight while improving cooling efficiency through direct thermal contact with battery cells
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe acts as an intermediary thermal conduction element between the battery cells and the external environment. It efficiently transfers heat away from the battery cells through its sealed internal structure containing working fluid, achieving superior cooling compared to conventional direct-contact heat sinks
2Power
If multiple battery cells are connected in series/parallel to form battery modules with higher output voltage and charge/discharge capacity, then the electrical performance is improved, but the heat generation increases and requires more effective cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe design extracts heat directly from critical hot spots on battery cells (positive and negative terminals) rather than relying on ambient convection or separate cooling systems. This targeted heat extraction approach effectively manages thermal loads from high-power battery configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces conventional mechanical cooling systems (fans, pumps, heavy heat sinks) with a passive heat pipe system that utilizes phase change and capillary action to transport heat, reducing mechanical complexity while effectively managing heat from high-power battery operations
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
Enhances cooling performance and temperature distribution without significant weight increase, protecting the heat pipes and battery poles from moisture and oxidation, while allowing heat radiation to the surroundings.
Implementation Method 1
The battery module comprises multiple heat pipes, wherein each heat pipe comprises parallel first and second heat pipe sections connected by intermediate sections at their respective ends
Implementation Method 2
the heat pipe is arranged to channel heat from the battery cells to the casing
Implementation Method 3
at least one intermediate section of each heat pipe is thermally coupled to a heat sink in a respective side wall
Implementation Method 4
allowing heat radiation to the surroundings
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a vehicular energy storage module, comprising an outer casing (100) having two parallel first and second side walls (101, 102), parallel upper and lower walls (103, 104), and opposing first and second ends (105, 106); a battery module (110) housed inside the casing (100), the battery module including a plurality of battery cell groups (111), where each battery cell group includes at least two battery cells (121, 122, 123) which are electrically interconnected to each other and arranged side-by-side between the side walls (101, 102). The battery module (110) comprises multiple heat pipes (131), wherein each heat pipe (131) comprise parallel first and second heat pipe sections (132, 133) connected by intermediate sections (134, 135) at their respective ends. At least one heat pipe has a first heat pipe section (132) electrically connected to the positive poles (124) of a first battery cell group (111) and a second heat pipe section (133) electrically connected to the negative poles (125) of an adjacent battery cell group (111). The heat pipes (131) are arranged in contact with positive and negative poles of adjacent battery cell groups (111) on opposite sides of the battery module (110); wherein the battery cell groups (111) making up the battery module (110) are connected in series.