Integrated Battery Module Cooling and Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules face challenges in minimizing deformation or expansion and improving cooling performance, often resulting in increased size due to the placement of coolers outside binding bars, which complicates the cooling of rectangular batteries.
Innovation Solution
The integration of coolant passages within restraint members and end plates that surround the battery stacks, allowing for direct cooling of the batteries and applying compressive pressure to reduce deformation, while shared and external coolant passages enhance cooling efficiency and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional cooler is provided outside the binding bars, then the battery module size increases, but cooling performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint member and cooler are merged into a single integrated component. The restraint member that applies compressive pressure to the battery stack also contains coolant passages for cooling, eliminating the need for separate coolers and reducing overall module size while improving cooling efficiency through direct contact with batteries
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant passages are nested within the restraint member structure. The restraint member has a hollow interior space that accommodates coolant passages, allowing the cooling system to be embedded within the existing restraint structure rather than adding external components
2Volume of stationary object
If rectangular batteries are cooled through binding bars, then cooling is difficult to achieve, but module size can be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint member is designed with different functional zones: the exterior surface provides compressive restraint contact with the battery stack, while the interior hollow space contains coolant passages for thermal management. This localized functional differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of mechanical restraint and effective cooling
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 effectively reduces deformation and expansion, improves cooling performance, and allows for miniaturization of battery modules by directly cooling the batteries and optimizing the layout for better thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
since the rectangular batteries are cooled through the binding bars
Implementation Method 2
a coolant passage on one side through which coolant flows
Implementation Method 3
the two binding bars and the two end plates apply predetermined compressing pressure in the stacking direction to the battery stack. Consequently, deformation or expansion of the battery stack due to expansion of the rectangular batteries does not occur
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes: a battery stack; a restraint member on one side that restrains one side, in a Y direction, of the battery stack and includes a coolant passage on one side through which coolant flows; a restraint member on the other side that restrains the other side, in the Y direction, of the battery stack and includes a coolant passage on the other side through which coolant flows; an end plate on one side that restrains one side, in an X direction, of the battery stack; and an end plate on the other side that restrains the other side, in the X direction, of the battery stack. At least one of the end plates on the sides, includes a coolant passage on end side through which coolant passes, and the coolant passage on the end side communicates with the coolant passages on the sides.