Battery Module Direct Liquid Cooling With Protected Sensing Layout
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules with indirect water cooling methods suffer from limited cooling performance due to indirect contact between cooling water and battery cells, leading to increased volume and reduced energy density, and pose risks to sensing lines and temperature sensors from insulating cooling liquids.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design where an insulating cooling liquid directly contacts battery cells, flowing through a cooling liquid flow path between the cell wing portion and the module housing, with a sensing assembly and bus bar frame assemblies to prevent damage to sensing lines and temperature sensors, ensuring efficient cooling and accurate temperature measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If indirect water cooling is used through module housing, then cooling water can be supplied to battery cells, but cooling performance is limited and overall volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling liquid flow path directly into the module housing structure, eliminating the need for separate external cooling devices. The housing itself serves as both structural support and cooling channel, allowing cooling liquid to flow directly between the battery cell wing portion and housing inner surface, thus improving cooling performance while maintaining compact volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an insulating cooling liquid as an intermediary substance that flows through the module housing to provide cooling. This insulating liquid acts as a mediator between the battery cells and the housing, enabling direct thermal contact for efficient cooling while preventing electrical short circuits between the cooling liquid and battery components.
2Temperature
If insulating cooling liquid is introduced into module housing to directly contact battery cell, then cooling performance improves, but sensing line and temperature sensor may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the module housing into distinct functional zones: a cooling liquid flow path region and a sensing component protection region. The housing structure includes specific protrusions and recesses that create physical barriers, preventing the insulating cooling liquid from reaching the sensing line and temperature sensor while still allowing effective cooling of the battery cell through direct contact in the flow path area.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating cooling liquid serves as an intermediary that provides cooling function without causing electrical short circuits. Its insulating properties allow it to directly contact the battery cell for efficient heat transfer while inherently protecting electrical components from electrical damage, though physical positioning is also used to prevent mechanical damage.
3Temperature
If separate heatsink is provided outside module housing to form cooling flow path, then cooling function is achieved, but energy density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the housing structure with the cooling flow path formation, eliminating the need for separate external heatsinks and cooling devices. The cooling channels are integrated directly into the housing walls, allowing cooling liquid to flow between the battery cell wing portion and the housing inner surface. This integration removes unnecessary components, reduces overall volume, and increases energy density while maintaining effective cooling function.
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 design enables efficient and rapid cooling of battery cells while protecting sensing components, allowing for accurate temperature measurement and minimizing the influence of the insulating cooling liquid on temperature sensing.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating cooling liquid flowing into a module housing cools battery cells while flowing through a space between a cell wing portion of the battery cell and the module housing
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a sub module including a cell stack assembly having a plurality of battery cells and a cooling fin interposed between adjacent battery cells; a module housing configured to accommodate the sub module; a front sealing plate configured to cover an opening at one longitudinal side of the module housing and having a cooling liquid inlet; a rear sealing plate configured to cover an opening at the other longitudinal side of the module housing and having a cooling liquid outlet; and a sensing assembly configured to sense voltage of the battery cell.