Battery Module Cooling Plate With Integrated Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery module assemblies face challenges in providing efficient and reliable cooling for non-actively cooled battery modules, requiring additional cooling elements and hoses, while also needing to be cost-effective, modular, and easily repairable to withstand various environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A battery module assembly with a housing that includes a cooling plate with separate passages thermally attached to the battery modules using a support plate, allowing for active cooling and easy maintenance, where the cooling plate can be clamped or secured with heat-conducting paste, and featuring a distributor and collector for coolant distribution and collection, minimizing temperature gradients and facilitating efficient heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional cooling elements and hoses are provided for non-actively cooled battery modules, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling plate with the support structure into a single integrated component. The cooling plate serves both as a structural support element and as a thermal management component with cooling channels, eliminating the need for separate cooling elements and hoses. This merging approach maintains cooling efficiency while reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling plate is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the battery modules, acts as a thermal conduction path for heat dissipation, and serves as a mounting surface for electrical connections. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate components, thereby improving reliability without increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If battery modules are directly and actively cooled, then cooling reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plate is integrated with the support structure, combining thermal management functionality with the existing mechanical framework. This approach enables direct active cooling of battery modules while avoiding the need for separate cooling systems, thereby maintaining cooling reliability while reducing manufacturing cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If a common cooling plate is used for multiple battery modules, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but thermal attachment reliability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plate is designed as a single common component that serves multiple battery modules simultaneously. Thermal attachment reliability is maintained through direct contact between the cooling plate and the battery module bases, utilizing the natural thermal conduction properties of the materials. This approach reduces manufacturing cost while ensuring reliable thermal attachment across all modules.
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
The solution enables reliable and efficient cooling of battery modules, maintaining optimal operating temperatures, allowing for modular design, cost-effective manufacturing, and easy repair, while protecting against environmental influences.
Implementation Method 1
the cooling plate is thermally attached to the plurality of battery modules by arranging the cooling plate in between said battery modules and a separate support plate
Implementation Method 2
the cooling plate comprises a plurality of separate cooling passages
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module assembly comprising a plurality of battery modules each comprising battery cells, with the battery modules being arranged at respective positions in at least one row and respectively having a top side at which electric contacts are provided in order to connect the plurality of battery modules to form a power supply and a bottom side, the battery module assembly further comprising a housing and a cooling plate arranged between the housing and the bottom sides of the plurality of battery modules, wherein the cooling plate comprises a plurality of separate cooling passages, wherein a heat conducting gap filling material is preferably provided directly between the bottom sides of the plurality of battery modules and the cooling plate. The invention further relates to a cooling plate for use in such a housing.