Battery Heat Spreader Layout for Thermoelectric Hotspot Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-performance batteries, such as lithium-based batteries used in electrical vehicles, face significant degradation and reduced cycle life due to improper thermal management, leading to increased costs and safety risks from overheating or overcooling.

Innovation Solution

A thermoelectric battery thermal management system is implemented, utilizing heat spreaders and thermoelectric devices to efficiently manage temperature by positioning thermoelectric devices along the shortest thermal path from hotspots in battery cells, allowing for both heating and cooling modes of operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional thermal management methods are used, then cooling capacity can be achieved, but system complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery temperature controlVSAvoidthermal management system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical thermal management systems with solid-state thermoelectric devices that use electrical current to directly heat or cool battery cells, eliminating the need for moving parts, fluids, and complex mechanical components while achieving precise temperature control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters by using electrical current magnitude and direction to control the thermal output of thermoelectric devices, allowing dynamic adjustment between heating and cooling modes without mechanical intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If thermoelectric devices are positioned away from the shortest thermal path, then device complexity is reduced, but thermal management efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal lossVSAvoidthermal path configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies thermoelectric devices specifically at locations along the shortest thermal path where heat generation is most intense, concentrating thermal management resources where they are most needed rather than distributing them uniformly, thereby minimizing thermal loss without requiring complex system-wide configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If batteries operate outside optimal temperature ranges, then productivity is maintained, but reliability and safety deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery performanceVSAvoidbattery cycle life and safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements temperature sensing and control systems that continuously monitor battery temperature and adjust thermoelectric device operation accordingly, providing feedback control to maintain batteries within optimal temperature ranges for both performance and longevity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies thermal management before extreme temperatures can cause damage, using thermoelectric devices to proactively heat or cool batteries to optimal operating conditions, preventing degradation and safety issues before they occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution reduces thermal losses, extends battery life, and enhances safety by maintaining batteries within optimal temperature ranges, thereby minimizing degradation and the risk of thermal events like fires.

Implementation Method 1

a thermoelectric device configured to transfer thermal energy between a main surface and a waste surface of the thermoelectric device upon application of electric current to the thermoelectric device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermoelectric effect: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 2

A battery cell can be in thermal communication with a thermoelectric device along a shortest thermal path from the hotspot via a heat spreader

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10236547B2Battery thermal management systems including heat spreaders with thermoelectric devices

Publication Date: 2019.03.19 GENTHERM INC

AI summary

Disclosed embodiments include thermoelectric-based thermal management systems and methods configured to heat and/or cool an electrical device. Thermal management systems can include a heat spreader positioned near a localized heat general of the electrical device. A fin can be connected to the heat spreader with a thermoelectric device positioned on the fin. Electric power can be directed to the thermoelectric device to provide controlled heating and/or cooling to the electrical device.