Battery Module Intermediate Channels for Compact Dielectric Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules face inefficiencies in heat dissipation and mechanical integrity, particularly in high-power applications, due to limited heat exchange by conduction and bulkiness caused by heat dissipation plates with fins, which is detrimental for automotive, space, and aeronautical sectors.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design where the dielectric fluid fills the interior volume, with intermediate parts having open channels for fluid flow that contact electrochemical cells, enabling efficient heat dissipation through convection and maintaining mechanical integrity by reducing swelling, while keeping the module compact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat dissipation plates with fins are used to transfer heat by conduction, then heat dissipation is improved, but the module becomes heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional heat dissipation plates with fins from the battery module structure. Instead, it uses the dielectric liquid cooling system alone to dissipate heat, thereby eliminating the extra weight and volume associated with the plate and fin structures while maintaining effective heat dissipation through the liquid cooling channels integrated into the intermediate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dielectric liquid cooling system where cooling liquid circulates through channels in the intermediate parts to remove heat from the battery cells. This hydraulic cooling approach replaces the solid conduction-based heat dissipation plates, achieving better heat transfer efficiency without the weight and bulk penalties of traditional finned structures.
2Temperature
If heat dissipation plates with fins are used, then heat transfer is improved, but the module volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat dissipation function with the structural intermediate parts that already exist between battery cells. The cooling channels are integrated directly into these intermediate parts, merging the structural support function with the thermal management function, thereby eliminating the need for separate heat dissipation plates and reducing overall module volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the bulky fin structures from the heat dissipation system. By relying solely on the dielectric liquid circulating through compact channels in the intermediate parts, the system achieves effective heat transfer without the volume penalty of traditional extended surface heat sinks.
3Device complexity
If electrochemical cells are stacked without adequate mechanical support, then the module structure is simpler, but mechanical strength decreases due to cell swelling
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate parts in the patent serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide mechanical support and structural integrity to prevent cell swelling, while also containing the cooling channels for thermal management. This multi-functionality maintains mechanical strength without adding separate dedicated support structures, thereby keeping the overall design simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate parts with integrated cooling channels provide self-supporting mechanical structure that inherently resists cell swelling during operation. The rigid structure of the intermediate parts with embedded channels creates a self-reinforcing framework that maintains mechanical strength without requiring additional external support mechanisms.
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 achieves effective heat dissipation and mechanical robustness, ensuring reliable and safe high-performance operation with reduced mass and volume, adapting to various connections and applications.
Implementation Method 1
enabling efficient heat dissipation through convection
Implementation Method 2
the heat exchange by conduction allows only a limited discharge of the calories
Implementation Method 3
at least one dielectric liquid for cooling the stack
Data Source
AI summary
This module comprises a stack, comprising: * a plurality of electrochemical cells (18); * at least one intermediate part (20) interposed between each pair of adjacent cells (18); * a mechanism for holding the stack clamping the cells (18) and the intermediate parts (20) against one another. The module comprises at least one dielectric liquid for cooling the stack. The intermediate part (20) defines at least one open channel (82A, 82B) for flow of the dielectric liquid. The channel (82A, 82B) opens onto the periphery of the stack in order to allow the dielectric liquid to flow through the stack and opens facing a main face (74, 76) of at least one cell (18), which face is applied against the intermediate part (20), in order to place the main face (74, 76) in contact with the dielectric liquid.