Battery Module Heat-Sink Structure for Cell Gap Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules face challenges in effectively dissipating heat generated during charging and discharging due to poor heat conductivity of plastic holders and inefficient air cooling, leading to high temperatures and potential damage to battery cells.
Innovation Solution
A battery module with a heat-sink structure comprising a metal plate and elastic heat conductors placed between battery cells, which absorb and conduct heat away from the cells to a metal plate for dissipation, improving thermal management and reducing the risk of cell damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If parallel arrangement of battery cells in plastic holder is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but heat dissipation efficiency deteriorates due to poor heat conductivity of plastic and accumulation of heat at center points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat-sink structure as an intermediary component between battery cells and the plastic holder. This heat-sink structure includes a metal base plate with heat dissipation fins that conduct heat away from the battery cell centers, preventing heat accumulation while maintaining the simple parallel arrangement in the plastic holder.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines different materials with complementary properties: the plastic holder provides ease of manufacture and structural support, while the metal heat-sink structure provides high thermal conductivity for heat dissipation. This composite approach allows each material to perform its optimal function without compromising the other.
2Temperature
If blowing fan and extraction fan are configured for air cooling, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and high flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat dissipation function from the complex active cooling system (blowing fan and extraction fan) and implements it through a passive heat-sink structure. The heat-sink structure with its metal base plate and fins provides effective heat dissipation through conduction and convection without requiring additional active cooling components.
3Temperature
If metal plate with heat conductors is placed in gap between battery cells, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional heat-sink structure
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-sink structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal conduction through the metal base plate, thermal convection through the fins, and structural support for the battery cells. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and justifies the added complexity by delivering comprehensive thermal management.
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 heat-sink structure effectively reduces the risk of battery cell damage by quickly dissipating heat generated during charging and discharging, enhancing thermal management and ensuring efficient cooling of all cells within the module.
Implementation Method 1
the heat conductors will be in contact with outer side faces of the center of can body of those battery cells... Part of the structure of the heat conductors compressed will form a contact face having a relatively large area with a battery cell... the heat conductors utilize the contact face having the relatively large area to absorb heat generated by charging and discharging of the battery cells and conduct the absorbed heat to the metal plate
Data Source
AI summary
The invention presents a battery module, which includes a battery holder for accommodating and fixing a plurality of battery cells and a heat-sink structure. The heat-sink structure includes at least one metal plate and at least one heat conductor. The metal plate is configured in a gap between the plurality of battery cells. The heat conductor is configured on the left or right sides of the metal plate, and is an elastic member. When the metal plate is configured in the gap between the battery cells, part of the heat conductor will be compressed by the metal plate and the battery cells, and closely adhere onto the battery cells. When the battery cells are charged and discharged, heat generated by charging and discharging of the battery cells will be conducted to the metal plate through the heat conductors, and then will be taken away through the metal plate.