Battery Module Internal Flow Guide for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional battery modules are susceptible to overheating, which can damage components and reduce energy density, and existing thermal management solutions often increase the module's volume without contributing to energy production.
Innovation Solution
The battery module incorporates active thermal management features, including a fan and airflow guide structures within the housing to facilitate airflow between electrochemical cells, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and reducing the module's footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional thermal management solutions are added to battery modules, then temperature control is improved, but module volume increases without contributing to energy production
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is merged with thermal management functions by incorporating internal flow passages directly into the housing walls and electrochemical cell arrangements. The housing simultaneously provides structural containment and thermal convection pathways, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems and reducing overall module volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing and internal structures serve multiple functions: structural support, thermal management through convection pathways, and electrochemical cell positioning. The same housing walls that contain the cells also form the boundaries of air flow passages, making the structure universal and eliminating redundant components.
2Temperature
If electrochemical cells are spaced apart to enable airflow, then heat dissipation is improved, but energy density is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Airflow passages and spacing are implemented locally at specific locations where thermal management is most critical, rather than uniformly throughout the entire module. The internal flow passages are positioned to target hot spots and high-heat-generation areas, providing effective cooling only where needed while maintaining high cell density in other regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal management is achieved by utilizing the third dimension (vertical airflow passages) rather than increasing horizontal spacing between cells. Air flows through vertical passages above and below cell stacks, enabling heat dissipation without reducing the horizontal packing density of electrochemical cells.
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 solution effectively manages temperature within the battery module, enhancing energy density and reducing the risk of overheating while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
a fan and airflow guide structures within the housing to facilitate airflow between electrochemical cells
Implementation Method 2
allowing for efficient heat dissipation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A battery module includes a housing having a top side, a bottom side, and an inside between the top side and the bottom side. The battery module also includes electrochemical cells disposed in one or more stacks in the inside of the housing. The electrochemical cells are spaced apart from each other to enable an airflow between the electrochemical cells. The battery module includes a fan on an outside of the housing and a hood disposed over the fan and configured to contact the housing to direct the airflow through an entry point into the inside of the housing. The battery module includes a vent fluidly coupling the inside and the outside of the housing. The vent vents the airflow from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing. The battery module includes flow guide features configured to guide the airflow along the electrochemical cells.