Battery Pack Holder Structure to Limit Cell-to-Cell Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In battery packs, especially ultra-compact ones, heat transfer and spread from an anomalous cell to adjacent cells can occur, leading to potential thermal runaway.
Innovation Solution
The battery pack incorporates a holder with a thermal resistor that inhibits heat transfer from the holder to the cell end surface, using a configuration where the holder's bottom surface does not contact the cell end surface, instead using protruding parts to minimize heat conduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the distance between adjacent cells is reduced to achieve ultra-compact battery pack design, then the energy density and compactness are improved, but the risk of heat transfer and thermal runaway propagation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a holder as an intermediary component between adjacent battery cells. This holder includes a storage part that receives the end surface of each cell and a thermal resistor that inhibits heat transfer from the holder to the cell end surface. By placing this thermal barrier intermediary between cells, the design achieves compact arrangement while preventing thermal runaway propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the thermal management function from the cell structure itself and separates it into a dedicated holder component. The holder is configured with a storage part for mechanical support and a thermal resistor for thermal isolation, separating the structural and thermal protection functions from the cell design.
2Reliability
If a holder structure is introduced to prevent heat transfer between cells, then the thermal safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the holder component: mechanical support (storage part receiving cell end surfaces), thermal isolation (thermal resistor preventing heat transfer), and structural integration (holder facing longitudinal end surfaces of cells). This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed while achieving comprehensive thermal and mechanical management.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical support, thermal isolation, and structural organization for the battery cells. The storage part accommodates cell end surfaces while the thermal resistor provides thermal protection, making the holder a universal solution for both mechanical and thermal management.
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 design effectively inhibits heat transfer and spread to adjacent cells, even if abnormal heat is generated in one cell, thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of the battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal resistor that inhibits heat transfer from the holder to the cell end surface
Data Source
AI summary
This battery pack includes a battery block and an outer covering case. The battery block includes: a plurality of cells aligned; and a holder that faces a longitudinal end surface of each of the plurality of cells and includes a storage part that stores the end surface. The holder includes a thermal resistor that inhibits heat transfer from the holder to the cell end surface.