Battery Housing Thermal Layout for Separate Cell and Electronics Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery systems face challenges in efficiently managing temperature control across various components, leading to potential overheating and increased aging of lithium-ion battery cells, which requires separate heating and cooling mechanisms to maintain optimal performance and safety.

Innovation Solution

A battery design featuring two housing elements with distinct temperature control structures allows for independent temperature management of battery cells and power electronics, utilizing fluid-tight receptacles for efficient cooling and thermal compensation materials to minimize thermal resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single temperature control structure is used for the entire battery system, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the temperature control requirements of battery cells and power electronics components cannot be separately optimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control structureVSAvoidtemperature control optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control system is divided into two separate structures: a first temperature control structure for battery cells and a second temperature control structure for power electronics components. This segmentation allows each structure to be independently optimized for its specific thermal requirements, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and temperature control optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different temperature control structures are designed for different locations based on local thermal requirements. The first temperature control structure is specifically designed for battery cells while the second is designed for power electronics components, allowing each region to have optimized thermal management tailored to its specific needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If separate temperature control structures are used for battery cells and power electronics components, then temperature control optimization is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control optimizationVSAvoidtemperature control structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

While maintaining separate temperature control structures for different components, the system merges the overall thermal management function into a unified battery housing structure. The first and second temperature control structures are both integrated into the housing, allowing separate optimization while maintaining structural coherence and avoiding excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If cooling plates are arranged below the battery module, then cooling function is provided, but the thermal paths are long and cooling efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling functionVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of arranging cooling plates only below the battery module (single dimension), the invention provides temperature control structures on multiple sides of the battery housing. The first temperature control structure is provided on a first side and the second temperature control structure is provided on a second side, creating multi-dimensional thermal management that shortens thermal paths and improves cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enables efficient cooling of battery cells and power electronics, maintaining them within a safe temperature range, thereby reducing aging and enhancing overall battery performance and safety.

Implementation Method 1

The temperature control fluid can flow through the temperature control fluid intake in series or in parallel... efficient cooling of battery cells and power electronics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a water/glycol mixture is passed through cooling plates arranged below the battery module... liquid temperature control with a water/glycol mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

thermal compensation materials to minimize thermal resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3796415B1Battery and use of such a battery
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3796415B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3796415B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3796415B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a battery comprising a first housing element (2) and a second housing element (3), which together form an interior space (5) for receiving a battery module (10), wherein a plurality of electrically conductive battery cells (6) of the battery module (10) are arranged in the interior space (5) in series and/or in parallel, wherein the battery cells (6) are in particular prismatic in design, and wherein a first element (8) of a battery controller is further arranged in the interior space (5), wherein the first housing element (2) forms a first temperature control structure (101) on a side facing away from the interior space (5) and in particular from the second housing element (3), wherein the second housing element (3) forms a second temperature control structure (102) on a side facing the interior space (5) and in particular from the first housing element (2), and a cover element (100) is connected to the second housing element (3) in such a manner.that the cover element (100) forms a fluid-tight boundary between a temperature control fluid reservoir (112) through which the temperature control fluid can flow and the interior (5), and that the second temperature control structure (102) is designed to allow the temperature control fluid to flow around it.