Battery Module Indirect Air-Cooling Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery modules for high-output, large-capacity applications face challenges in effectively dissipating heat generated during charge and discharge, leading to potential deterioration, increased size and weight, and complex manufacturing processes due to the need for multiple coolant channels and cooling members.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring stacked battery cells with integrated cooling plates that include a thermal conduction portion between cells and a heat dissipation portion extending beyond them, allowing for efficient heat transfer and dissipation without the need for extensive cooling systems, using lightweight materials like aluminum alloys for enhanced thermal conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If multiple coolant channels and cooling members are added to effectively dissipate heat, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling plate integrates both thermal conduction function (through the plate body contact with battery cells) and heat dissipation function (through protruding heat dissipation portions) into a single component, eliminating the need for separate coolant channels and multiple cooling members, thus resolving the contradiction between heat dissipation efficiency and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a thermal conduction path from battery cells, provides structural support between stacked cells, and functions as a heat dissipation component through its protruding portions, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective cooling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If multiple coolant channels and cooling members are added to effectively dissipate heat, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the cooling plate with the cartridge structure, the patent reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining effective heat dissipation through the integrated thermal conduction and dissipation features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling plate performs multiple functions (thermal conduction, structural support, heat dissipation) in a single component, reducing the total part count and assembly complexity, which directly lowers manufacturing costs while achieving effective cooling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If battery cells are stacked with predetermined intervals to remove heat, then heat dissipation is improved, but battery module size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat removal capabilityVSAvoidbattery module weight

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling plate is integrated into the cartridge structure, combining the spacing function with the heat dissipation function in one component, allowing tighter cell stacking without additional weight from separate cooling members, thus resolving the contradiction between heat removal and weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 achieves high cooling efficiency with a compact and simplified structure, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while ensuring safety and improved assembly processability, effectively dissipating heat without additional cooling systems, thus enhancing the battery module's performance and lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

each of the cooling plates includes a thermal conduction portion disposed between the respective battery cells and a heat dissipation portion extending beyond the respective battery cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10074881B2Battery module having indirect air-cooling structure

Publication Date: 2018.09.11 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A battery module including two or more stacked battery cells which can be charged and discharged and at least one cooling plate comprising a thermal conduction portion and at least one heat dissipation portion connected to said thermal conduction portion, the thermal conduction portion being disposed between one or more adjacent battery cells, and the at least one heat dissipation portion extending beyond the adjacent battery cells and including one or more bend is provided.