Vehicle Battery Module Cooling Tube Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle battery modules face challenges in cooling performance due to large volume and weight issues in direct cooling methods and reduced energy density and thermal resistance in indirect cooling methods, leading to inefficient heat exchange.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle battery module design where cooling tubes are directly disposed on the pouch terrace of battery cells, connected by thermally conductive connectors, and supported by a cartridge with a case, forming a space to prevent damage and enhance cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If direct cooling method is used with flow path gap, then cooling performance is improved, but volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cooling function from a separate flow path gap structure and integrates it directly onto the battery cell surface through cooling tubes, eliminating the need for additional volume while maintaining cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling tubes are positioned within the pouch terrace structure of the battery cell, nesting the cooling function inside the existing cell geometry rather than adding external cooling structures that would increase volume
2Device complexity
If indirect cooling method with heat sink is used, then cooling structure is simplified, but energy density decreases and thermal resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the cooling tube directly with the battery cell pouch terrace, combining the cooling function with the cell structure itself, thereby eliminating the need for separate heat sinks while maintaining high energy density
Solution Approach 2:
The pouch terrace acts as an intermediary thermal interface between the battery cell and cooling medium, providing direct thermal contact without requiring additional heat sink components, thus reducing thermal resistance while maintaining structural simplicity
3Temperature
If cooling tube is disposed directly on pouch terrace, then cooling performance is enhanced, but sealing portion may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge provides a protective cushioning layer between the cooling tube and the pouch terrace sealing portion, preventing direct contact and potential damage while allowing thermal energy to pass through, thus protecting the sealing portion beforehand against mechanical stress
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 reduces cooling loss, improves cooling performance, increases energy density, and simplifies manufacturing, while protecting the sealing portion and reducing material costs.
Implementation Method 1
cooling tubes, each provided to correspond to one of the battery cells and disposed either above or below, or both above and below the corresponding one of the battery cells... so as to cool the battery cell through the cooling tube
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle battery module includes battery cells and a plurality of cooling tubes, each provided to correspond to one of the battery cells and disposed either above or below, or both above and below the corresponding one of the battery cells. The battery module includes connectors each connecting one of the battery cells to a corresponding one of the cooling tubes so as to cool the battery cell through the cooling tube. A cartridge is configured to fix positions of the plurality of cooling tubes and a case is coupled to outer sides of the battery cells in a state in which the battery cells, the connectors, and the cartridge are assembled. A cooling pipe is connected to the plurality of cooling tubes so as to supply a cooling medium to each of the cooling tubes.