Battery Module Retention Housing for Dual-Mode Cell Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules with cylindrical cells lack flexibility in cooling methods, often requiring complex tooling and components, and are limited to either air or fluid cooling, which increases costs and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with first and second retention housings that can be either air or fluid cooled, featuring inlet and outlet ports for fluid routing and improved structural integrity, utilizing a battery cell retention frame with central cooling plate members and exterior plates for efficient heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If complex tooling and components are used to achieve desired cooling efficiency, then cooling performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for battery cells, acts as a cooling channel conduit, and enables both air and fluid cooling modes through integrated design features. The housing includes internal cooling channels that can accommodate fluid flow while also allowing air passage, eliminating the need for separate cooling system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the retention housing structure with cooling system integration, merging structural support and thermal management functions into a single component. The cooling channels are embedded within the retention housing itself, and inlet/outlet ports are integrated into the housing structure, reducing the need for additional cooling-specific components.
2Power
If battery modules are designed for high energy/power output, then performance is improved, but thermal management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention housing is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical retention of battery cells, structural support for the module, and thermal management through integrated cooling channels. This multi-functionality allows high power output applications to be supported without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is designed with flexible inlet and outlet ports that can accommodate different fluid flow configurations. The housing structure allows adaptation between air cooling and fluid cooling modes, providing dynamic thermal management capability that scales with power output requirements without fixed complexity.
3Device complexity
If battery modules are limited to either air cooling or fluid cooling, then system design is simplified, but cooling flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retention housing incorporates features that enable both air cooling and fluid cooling operations. Internal cooling channels can be configured for fluid flow, while the housing structure also permits air circulation paths. Inlet and outlet ports are positioned and sized to accommodate either cooling method, allowing the same basic design to serve multiple thermal management approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system design allows dynamic selection between air and fluid cooling modes based on operational requirements. The housing structure and port configurations can accommodate different cooling strategies without requiring fundamental design changes, providing versatility while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
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 system provides flexible cooling options, enhances structural integrity, and improves cooling efficiency while reducing costs by allowing both air and fluid cooling, thus optimizing performance.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid supply system supplying a fluid to the inlet port such the fluid flows through the first manifold portion of the battery cell retention frame and the internal cooling channel of the battery cell retention frame
Implementation Method 2
the fluid flows through the first manifold portion of the battery cell retention frame and the internal cooling channel of the battery cell retention frame, and the second manifold portion of the battery cell retention frame and out of the outlet port to extract heat energy from the first and second plurality of battery cells
Implementation Method 3
fluid flows through... internal cooling channel... to extract heat energy
Implementation Method 4
The first and second intermediate walls define an internal cooling channel therebetween that fluidly communicates with the first and second manifold portions
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery system includes a battery module that utilizes the first and second retention housings to hold a battery cell retention frame therein that can be either air cooled or fluid cooled. In particular, the first and second retention housings have an inlet port and an outlet port, respectively, for routing fluid through the battery cell retention frame for cooling cylindrical battery cells thereon. Alternately, the battery cell retention frame can be air cooled for cooling the cylindrical battery cells. Also, the first and second retention housings provide improved structural integrity to the battery module.