Dual-Mode Battery Module Housing for Cooling and Structural Support
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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 structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with first and second retention housings that can be air or fluid cooled, featuring inlet and outlet ports for fluid circulation, and a central cooling plate member with manifold portions and intermediate walls to facilitate efficient heat transfer and structural support.
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 the battery cells, acts as a cooling channel conduit, and enables both air and liquid cooling modes through its integrated manifold design. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling components, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channels are merged directly into the retention housing structure, combining the structural support function with the thermal management function. This integration eliminates additional cooling components and tooling, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving effective heat extraction from the battery cells.
2Adaptability or versatility
If battery modules are designed for either air cooling or fluid cooling, then cooling system simplicity is maintained, but system flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed to be dynamically adaptable, allowing switching between air cooling and liquid cooling modes based on thermal requirements. The retention housing includes integrated manifolds with ports that can accommodate either cooling method, enabling the system to adjust its cooling approach without requiring separate dedicated systems for each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention housing is designed as a universal component that can accommodate both air and liquid cooling methods through its integrated manifold structure. The same housing provides structural support and thermal management pathways for either cooling medium, giving the battery module flexibility to select the appropriate cooling mode without increasing overall system complexity.
3Strength
If retention housings provide improved structural integrity, then mechanical strength is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The structural support function and thermal management function are merged into a single retention housing component. The housing includes integrated manifolds and cooling channels that are formed as part of the same structural element, providing both mechanical strength and thermal pathways without requiring additional separate components or complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention housing serves as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support for the battery cells and acts as a conduit for cooling fluids or air. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into one component, enhancing structural integrity while avoiding the manufacturing complexity that would result from separate structural and cooling components.
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 maintains efficient heat extraction from cylindrical battery cells while reducing overall costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
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 2
The first retention housing holds a first plurality of cylindrical battery cells therein that thermally communicate with the first intermediate wall
Data Source
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.