Battery Module Contact Plates for Space and Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery modules for motor vehicles face inefficiencies in space utilization and cooling of individual cells, leading to reduced battery performance and electrical range due to the use of tabs for cell connection and separate coolant ducts.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring parallel contact-making plates and strategically arranged battery cells, where cells touch multiple neighbors for optimized space use and thermal equalization, eliminating the need for separate cooling ducts by allowing direct contact between cells and coolant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tabs are used for coupling cells and modules, then electrical connection is achieved, but space utilization is reduced and separate coolant ducts are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connection function and cooling function into a single integrated contact-making plate structure. The contact-making plates serve dual purposes: providing electrical connection between cells and enabling direct coolant contact for cooling, eliminating the need for separate tabs and coolant ducts.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact-making plates are designed as multi-functional components that simultaneously perform electrical conduction and thermal management functions. By making the plates electrically conductive and directly contactable with coolant, a single component fulfills multiple roles that previously required separate elements.
2Temperature
If separate coolant ducts are used for cooling cells, then cooling function is provided, but space utilization and cooling efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged with the electrical connection structure. The contact-making plates that provide electrical connection also serve as the cooling interface by being directly contactable with coolant, eliminating the need for separate coolant ducts and improving space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the traditional separate coolant duct system and integrates it into the contact-making plates. This extraction allows the coolant to directly contact the plates that are already in position for electrical connection, improving both space efficiency and cooling effectiveness.
3Reliability
If cells are arranged with tabs for connection, then electrical coupling is achieved, but thermal equalization between cells is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical coupling and thermal equalization functions into the same contact-making plate structure. The plates provide both electrical connection between cells and thermal contact for heat equalization, while the coolant直接接触 enables active cooling to maintain uniform temperature distribution.
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 enhances space efficiency, packing density, and cooling efficiency, improving battery performance and extending the electrical range of vehicles by ensuring high conductivity and uniform temperature control without additional structural complexity or costs.
Implementation Method 1
mutual heat equalization between touching battery cells
Implementation Method 2
direct contact between the coolant and the battery cells, without a separate cooling duct
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module for a motor vehicle includes two contact-making plates, which are arranged in parallel or approximately in parallel with one another, including a first and a second contact-making plate, and a plurality of battery cells, which are arranged next to one another and between the two contact-making plates. Each battery cell has a longitudinal axis and two axially opposite ends. The ends of each battery cell are connected to the contact-making plates, and the battery cells are arranged in such a way that i) an outer circumferential surface of each battery cell fully surrounded by adjacent battery cells touches outer circumferential surfaces of at least three adjacent battery cells, and ii) an outer circumferential surface of each battery cell not fully surrounded by adjacent battery cells touches outer circumferential surfaces of at least two adjacent battery cells.