Battery Module Casing With Exposed TIM for Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules and packs have insufficient heat dissipation performance due to closely packed battery cells, which reduces their capacity.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a casing with openings for exposing thermal interface material (TIM) to enhance heat dissipation, combined with a thermally conductive plastic casing and heat dissipation grooves to increase contact area with air, and optionally a heat dissipation member for further cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If battery cells are closely packed in a narrow space to increase capacity, then the battery module density increases, but heat dissipation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal interface material is extracted from the enclosed space and exposed to the external environment through openings in the casing. This allows heat to be dissipated directly to the outside air, resolving the contradiction by providing a heat dissipation pathway that does not require increasing the internal volume of the battery module.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat dissipation pathway is extended from the internal two-dimensional surface area to the external three-dimensional space. By exposing the thermal interface material through openings, heat can dissipate in multiple directions including vertically and laterally, effectively increasing the heat dissipation capacity without increasing the battery cell density.
2Temperature
If thermal interface material is exposed through openings to improve heat dissipation, then heat dissipation performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is segmented with multiple openings distributed across its surface, allowing the thermal interface material to be exposed at different locations. This segmentation approach enables effective heat dissipation while maintaining a relatively simple overall casing structure, as each opening is an independent feature that can be easily manufactured.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, protects the battery cells, and facilitates heat dissipation through the integrated openings. By combining these functions into a single component, the overall device complexity is minimized while achieving effective heat dissipation performance.
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 improves heat dissipation characteristics by increasing the contact area between the thermal interface material and air, effectively managing heat generated by battery cells and enhancing the overall capacity of the battery module and pack.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal interface material (TIM) interposed between the casing and the battery cell and exposed out of the casing through the opening of the casing
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a battery module. The battery module includes at least one battery cell, a casing configured to surround the battery cell and having at least one opening formed therein; and a thermal interface material (TIM) interposed between the casing and the battery cell and exposed out of the casing through the opening of the casing.