Battery Module Cooling via U-Shaped Heat Pipe Thermal Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery modules in electric vehicles generate excessive heat, which negatively impacts performance and service life, and existing cooling arrangements are inefficient in dissipating heat effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cooling arrangement featuring U-shaped heat pipes with an evaporator leg connected to battery electrodes via thermal pads and a condenser leg connected to a cover acting as a heat sink, allowing for improved thermal coupling and efficient heat dissipation without electrical conduction, and optionally incorporating a resilient element and thermally conductive insulation for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat pipes are used to dissipate heat from battery cells, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but thermal resistance and heat dissipation efficiency remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat pipe's evaporator and condenser into a single integrated component that directly contacts both the battery cell and the heat sink. This integration eliminates intermediate thermal interfaces, reducing thermal resistance and improving heat transfer efficiency from the battery cell to the heat sink.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional linear heat pipe configuration to a three-dimensional arrangement where the heat pipe extends vertically from the battery cell into the heat sink. This dimensional change enables direct thermal coupling between the evaporator and condenser, significantly reducing thermal resistance and improving heat dissipation capability.
2Reliability
If conventional cooling arrangements are used, then cooling function is provided, but accessibility and assembly ease are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling system into a modular heat pipe component that can be independently installed and removed. The heat pipe's compact design allows it to be easily positioned and secured between the battery cell and heat sink, significantly improving accessibility and assembly ease while maintaining effective cooling function.
3Temperature
If heat pipes are made longer to improve heat transfer, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension to position the heat pipe's condenser directly within the heat sink, eliminating the need for long horizontal extensions. This vertical arrangement achieves efficient heat transfer with a compact, simple configuration that reduces manufacturing difficulty and device complexity.
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 configuration enhances heat dissipation efficiency, reduces thermal resistance, and improves accessibility and assembly ease, leading to improved battery module cooling and extended service life.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling arrangement has at least one heat pipe (10). The heat pipe has an evaporator and a condenser
Implementation Method 2
The heat pipe has an evaporator and a condenser, with the cooling arrangement having at least one first connecting means
Implementation Method 3
The first connecting means is designed, for example, as a so-called thermal pad made of silicone or acrylate
Implementation Method 4
the cover tensions the second leg in a resilient manner. As a result, the heat pipe is pressed against the cover with a corresponding contact pressure
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling arrangement for at least one battery module (1), wherein the battery module (1) has at least two battery cells (2), the electrodes (3) of which are connected to one another. The cooling arrangement has at least one heat pipe (10) and one heat sink, wherein the heat pipe (10) has an evaporator and a condenser, wherein the cooling arrangement has at least one first connecting means (13) that is designed to connect the evaporator of the heat pipe (10) to at least one electrode (3), or to a connecting point of two electrodes (3) such that the heat pipe (10) is thermally coupled with the electrode (3) or the connection point but heat pipe (10) and electrode (3) are electrically isolated. The condenser of the heat pipe (10) is connected to the heat sink, wherein the heat sink is a cover (7) of the battery module (1) or a cover (23) of a battery unit (20) having several battery modules (1). The invention further relates to a battery module (1) and to a battery unit (20).