Immersion-Cooled Battery Holder Geometry for Even Cell Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery cells generate thermal energy during charging and discharging, posing challenges for thermal management, which affects the health, operational ability, and safety of battery modules.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design incorporating fluid immersion technology, where a fluid is circulated to transfer thermal energy from or to each battery cell, using a cell holder with specific geometry to promote even fluid flow and structural integrity, optimizing thermal transfer while maintaining desired fluid flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If battery cells are grouped into modules for energy storage applications, then energy storage capacity and power output are improved, but thermal management becomes more difficult and safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery module is segmented into multiple compartments, each housing individual battery cells. This segmentation allows for independent thermal management of each cell or small group of cells, preventing thermal runaway from propagating across the entire module while maintaining high energy storage capacity through the aggregation of multiple segmented units.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal management fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance that circulates between the battery cells and the external environment. This fluid absorbs excess heat from the battery cells during charging and discharging operations, transferring thermal energy away from the cells to maintain safe operating temperatures and prevent thermal runaway.
2Productivity
If battery cells are densely packed to increase energy density, then productivity and space utilization are improved, but thermal dissipation becomes insufficient and temperature control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery module design incorporates local quality variations through differentiated compartment structures and selective fluid flow paths. Each compartment or region can have optimized thermal characteristics tailored to its specific thermal load and operational requirements, allowing dense packing while maintaining adequate thermal dissipation through localized thermal management zones.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydraulic thermal management system is implemented where fluid circulates through channels and compartments surrounding the battery cells. This hydraulic system enables active thermal control by regulating fluid flow rates and temperatures, allowing dense cell packing while maintaining effective heat removal through the circulating fluid medium.
3Reliability
If thermal management systems are added to battery modules, then temperature control and safety are improved, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery module design integrates thermal management functions into the structural framework itself, where compartment walls and housing elements serve dual purposes as both mechanical support structures and thermal management conduits. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate, dedicated thermal management components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining safety improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system is merged with the battery module housing and structural components. The fluid circulation channels are integrated into the existing structural framework rather than being added as separate external systems, combining thermal management functionality with the mechanical support structure to minimize overall system complexity.
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 approach enhances the thermal management of battery modules, improving their health, power output, and safety by effectively transferring heat from or to battery cells, thereby maintaining optimal performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid is circulated through battery module to transfer thermal energy from or to each battery cell in a battery module
Implementation Method 2
The battery cell holder may have a plurality of openings to house the battery cells, where a geometry of each opening includes a fluid path along a length of each battery cell
Data Source
AI summary
A battery modules includes a plurality of battery cells and a cell holder. The cell holder includes a plurality of openings that extends from a first surface of the cell holder to an opposite surface of the cell holder, each of the plurality of openings comprising a cross-section with a circular portion and an extended portion that extends from the circular portion. Each of the plurality of battery cells are housed in a respective one of the plurality of openings and a space between each of the plurality of battery cells and an interior surface of each of the plurality of openings of the cell holder forms a path for a fluid to flow along a length of a respective one of the plurality of battery cells. The path includes at least the extended portion of the respective opening.