Motor Vehicle Battery Lateral Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle batteries face insufficient cooling performance, particularly in the commercial vehicle sector, leading to significant temperature gradients due to inadequate heat dissipation, which can impact battery longevity and performance.
Innovation Solution
The integration of thermally conductive elements between adjacent battery cells, extending to the side parts of the holding structure, which are thermally coupled to a heat sink, allowing for lateral heat dissipation in addition to traditional bottom cooling, thereby reducing temperature gradients without altering the battery's dimensions or structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional bottom cooling system is used, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the cooling performance is insufficient leading to high temperature gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-dimensional bottom cooling to multi-dimensional heat dissipation by adding lateral heat conduction paths through side parts. The thermally conductive elements extend heat flow from the bottom plane to the lateral surfaces, creating additional thermal pathways that reduce temperature gradients without requiring complete structural redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The side parts of the holding structure are given dual functionality: they continue to provide mechanical support and containment while simultaneously serving as heat dissipation pathways. By integrating thermally conductive elements into the side parts, the same structural components perform both structural and thermal management functions, avoiding additional complexity.
2Temperature
If cooling fins or additional head cooling are added, then heat dissipation is improved, but the dimensions and structure of the battery module change significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with the existing holding structure by integrating thermally conductive elements into the side parts. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate cooling fins or additional cooling components, as the structural elements themselves become part of the thermal management system, maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding vertical cooling fins that increase height or volume, the patent utilizes the lateral surfaces of the existing battery module by extending heat conduction to the side parts. This approach activates the previously underutilized lateral dimension for heat dissipation without increasing the overall package size.
3Temperature
If thermally conductive elements are added to side parts, then cooling performance is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side parts are designed to serve dual purposes: mechanical support and heat dissipation. By making the side parts themselves thermally conductive (either through material selection or integration of thermally conductive elements), the patent eliminates the need for separate cooling components, thereby enhancing cooling performance without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system is segmented into modular thermally conductive elements that can be integrated into the side parts. These elements are positioned in intermediate areas between battery cells and extend to the side parts, creating a distributed thermal conduction network that improves cooling while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
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 enhances cooling performance by utilizing existing side parts for heat dissipation, reducing temperature gradients and improving battery longevity without increasing dimensions or requiring additional cooling components, making it suitable for both existing and retrofitted battery modules.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-conducting element 5 which is arranged in at least one of the intermediate areas 4 formed between two adjacent battery cells 3, by means of which heat-conducting element 5 heat can be conducted out laterally
Implementation Method 2
a heat sink 10 arranged below the battery module 2, by means of which heat can be conducted away from the battery module 2
Implementation Method 3
a thermally conductive pad 9, via which the battery module 2 is thermally coupled to the heat sink 10
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle battery comprising a battery module (2) having several stacked battery cells (3), a holding structure surrounding the battery module (2) having two side parts arranged parallel to the side walls of such a stack of battery cells (3) and on opposite side walls of the battery module (2), a heat sink arranged below the battery module (2), and a first thermal pad arranged between the heat sink and a bottom surface of the battery module (2), which thermally couples the battery module (2) to the heat sink. To improve the heat dissipation of the motor vehicle battery, a thermally conductive element (5) is arranged in at least one of the intermediate areas (4) formed between two adjacent battery cells (3), which extends from the intermediate area to at least one of the side parts of the holding structure and is thermally contacted therein.The side part, to which the thermally conductive element (5) is thermally contacted, is further thermally coupled to the heat sink.