Battery Module Divider for Uniform Coolant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules face challenges in efficiently dissipating heat, leading to temperature differences between unit batteries, which can degrade performance and potentially cause explosions, especially in high-capacity applications like electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a housing with a coolant flow passage divided by a divider to create sub-coolant passages, ensuring uniform cooling of unit batteries by directing coolant flow strategically through the module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single coolant flow passage is used in conventional battery modules, then the structure is simple, but the cooling uniformity deteriorates due to temperature differences between unit batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The single coolant flow passage is divided into multiple sub-coolant flow passages using a divider, allowing coolant to flow through multiple parallel paths. This segmentation enables uniform cooling across different regions of the battery module, specifically addressing the temperature difference issue between unit batteries located at different positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The divider is strategically positioned to create sub-coolant flow passages that deliver coolant to specific regions of the battery assembly. This allows different parts of the battery module to receive optimized cooling, with the extension plate directing coolant flow to areas that previously experienced higher temperatures.
2Temperature
If multiple coolant flow passages are used to improve cooling uniformity, then temperature uniformity improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The divider is nested within the existing housing structure, with the dividing plate and extension plate integrated into the coolant flow passage. This nesting approach allows multiple sub-coolant flow passages to be created without adding external components, thereby improving cooling uniformity while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The divider acts as an intermediary component that splits the single coolant flow passage into multiple sub-passages. This intermediary structure enables the creation of a multi-path cooling system using a simple partition wall, avoiding the need for complex multi-passage design while achieving uniform cooling distribution.
3Loss of energy
If coolant flow is not properly distributed, then heat dissipation is insufficient, but increasing cooling intensity may cause excessive temperature drop in some areas
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the coolant flow into multiple sub-passages, the total coolant flow is distributed across parallel paths, preventing excessive cooling in any single area while ensuring adequate heat dissipation across the entire battery assembly. This segmentation balances heat removal efficiency with temperature distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The divider creates sub-coolant flow passages with optimized flow characteristics, changing the flow distribution parameters to achieve uniform coolant delivery. This parameter optimization ensures that each region receives appropriate cooling intensity, preventing both insufficient heat dissipation and excessive temperature drop.
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 effectively minimizes temperature differences between unit batteries, enhancing the overall performance and safety of the battery module by ensuring uniform cooling and efficient heat dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant flow passage formed in a housing for providing a coolant flow through a battery assembly
Implementation Method 2
providing coolant flow through the battery assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a battery assembly having a plurality of unit batteries. A housing receives the battery assembly and has an coolant flow passage formed around the battery assembly. A divider is installed in the coolant flow passage to divide the coolant flow passage into a plurality of sub-coolant flow passages.