Battery Module Cooling Channel Layout Without Rack Backplane
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of racks to house battery modules complicates the battery pack, increasing manufacturing costs and prone to alignment issues between power connectors and backplane power lines.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a cooling assembly with a cooling channel extending from one side to the other, allowing heat transfer via a cooling fluid, and an exhaust assembly with a seal that opens during thermal runaway, eliminating the need for a dedicated backplane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rack with backplane is used to house battery modules, then power connections can be established, but the device complexity increases and alignment issues occur between power connectors and backplane power lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the backplane component from the system entirely. Instead of using a separate backplane for power connections, the battery module integrates power connection terminals directly into the module structure, eliminating the intermediate backplane component and its associated alignment issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the power connection function with the battery module housing. The power connection terminals are integrated directly into the module structure, merging the previously separate functions of the module housing and the backplane into a single unified structure
2Ease of operation
If a rack is used to house battery modules, then storage and transportation are enabled, but manufacturing costs increase due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the rack structure from the battery pack design. The module's own housing and integrated features provide sufficient structural support for storage and transportation, removing the need for the separate rack component and reducing manufacturing costs
3Device complexity
If cooling assembly is integrated within the battery module, then device complexity is reduced, but heat dissipation efficiency must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the cooling assembly directly into the battery module structure, merging the cooling function with the module housing. This eliminates the need for separate cooling system components while maintaining effective heat dissipation through the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The battery module housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the battery cells, and acts as part of the cooling system. The housing is designed to accommodate cooling channels and facilitate heat transfer, making it a multi-functional component
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 simplifies the storage and transportation of multiple interconnected battery modules, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves alignment and efficiency by integrating cooling and exhaust systems within the module.
Implementation Method 1
heat generated within the cell enclosure may be transferred to a cooling fluid flowing, via the cooling channel
Implementation Method 2
cooling fluid flowing, via the cooling channel, from the first side of the battery module to the second side
Implementation Method 3
The seal is configured to open in response to a pressure within the cell enclosure reaching a critical pressure and thereby allowing exhaust gases to flow from the cell enclosure to the exhaust channel
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a battery module comprising: a cell enclosure for housing a plurality of battery cells; and a cooling assembly. The cooling assembly comprises a cooling channel extending from an aperture in a first side of the battery module to an aperture in a second side of the battery module. The cooling channel is positioned such that heat generated within the cell enclosure may be transferred to a cooling 5 fluid flowing, via the cooling channel, from the first side of the battery module to the second side of the battery module. There is also described a battery module stack comprising multiple such battery modules. The battery modules are arranged in a stacked formation such that the cooling channel of at least one battery module is aligned with the cooling channel of at least one adjacent battery module.