Battery Module Fluid Guide Assembly 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

A battery module with a fluid guide assembly that directs airflow through the module, using a fan to generate airflow along the sides and base of prismatic electrochemical cells, and includes cooling plates to extract heat, thereby managing temperature efficiently without increasing the module's volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If thermal management features are added to battery modules, then overheating is prevented, but volume increases without contributing to energy production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery temperature controlVSAvoidbattery module volume

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid guide assembly is integrated directly into the battery module housing structure, merging the thermal management function with the structural housing. This eliminates the need for separate external cooling components, thereby controlling temperature while avoiding additional volume increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling fluid channels are nested within the housing walls and structural components of the battery module. The fluid guide assembly utilizes the existing housing space, embedding cooling passages within the housing thickness rather than adding external cooling volumes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Loss of energy

If traditional thermal management solutions are used, then heat is dissipated, but energy density is reduced due to increased volume

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidenergy density

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal management system is merged with the housing structure, allowing heat dissipation functionality to be achieved using the existing housing material and space. This integration ensures that volume dedicated to thermal management does not displace energy-storing components, thereby maintaining energy density while achieving effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If cooling ducts are added to battery modules, then thermal management is improved, but the housing structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidhousing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling ducts are merged with the housing structure itself, where the housing walls double as cooling channels. This integration approach provides effective thermal management while avoiding the need for separate, complex cooling system components, thereby maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains battery cells, and acts as the cooling fluid passage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated cooling components, simplifying the overall structure while achieving effective thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution effectively extracts heat from the electrochemical cells, reducing the risk of overheating and increasing energy density by integrating thermal management features within the module's design.

Implementation Method 1

a fan configured to generate an airflow through the cooling duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

cooling plates to extract heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3201966B1Battery module thermal management fluid guide assembly

Publication Date: 2019.05.01 CPS TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC

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AI summary

The present disclosure includes a battery module (20) with a housing (31) having first and second ends (40, 38) and first and second lateral sides (34, 36) between the first and second ends. The battery module includes prismatic electrochemical cells (30) and a cooling duct having first and second segments (100, 102). The first segment (100) extends along the first lateral side (34) of the housing and includes a first opening (106) to the environment. The second segment (102) extends along the second lateral side (36) of the housing and includes a second opening (108) to the environment. The first and second openings (106, 108) are proximate to the second end (38) of the housing. The battery module includes a fan (68) disposed on the first end (40) of the housing. The fan is fluidly coupled to the cooling duct and provides airflow through the first and second openings (106, 108) and along the first and second segments (100, 102).