Storage Battery Module Layout With Heat Pipes for Compact Cooling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power storage devices for vehicles require multiple units, leading to increased size and reduced space efficiency due to the integration of storage batteries and heat-exchangers, which complicates space-saving designs.

Innovation Solution

A storage battery module comprising a plate-shaped member with heat pipes and a heat-exchanger, where the heat pipes are connected to the heat-exchanger on the outer surface, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and compact arrangement of multiple batteries, utilizing a system of brackets and partition plates for secure attachment and space optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple power storage devices are arranged to provide sufficient power storage capacity, then the power storage capacity is improved, but the overall size and space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower storage capacityVSAvoidoverall size
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple storage batteries and heat-exchangers into a single integrated power storage device. The device includes a housing containing multiple storage batteries arranged in parallel, with heat-exchangers integrated into the same housing to perform both power storage and thermal management functions simultaneously. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate devices and optimizes space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power storage device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both an energy storage system and a thermal management system. The heat-exchangers are integrated within the same housing as the storage batteries, allowing the device to simultaneously store electrical energy and dissipate heat generated during charging and discharging operations, thereby eliminating the need for separate cooling devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If storage batteries and heat-exchangers are integrally combined into a module, then thermal management efficiency is improved, but space efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal management efficiencyVSAvoidspace efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement within the housing to optimize the configuration of storage batteries and heat-exchangers. The heat-exchangers are positioned to efficiently contact the battery surfaces while maintaining compact overall dimensions. The housing structure is designed to arrange components in multiple dimensions, maximizing heat transfer surface area while minimizing the external volume occupied by the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration enables efficient heat management and space-saving design by allowing multiple batteries to be compactly arranged, reducing the overall size of the power storage device while maintaining effective heat dissipation, thus enhancing space utilization and performance.

Implementation Method 1

The plurality of heat pipes are disposed at positions corresponding to the plurality of storage batteries inside the plate-shaped member... The plurality of heat pipes are drawn out from a surface on which the plurality of storage batteries in the plate-shaped member are placed and are connected to the heat-exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat pipe: Heat Pipe

Implementation Method 2

The heat-exchanger is attached to the first partition plate and performs heat exchange... connected to the heat-exchanger on an outer portion of the plate-shaped member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3514885B1Storage battery module, storage battery unit, and vehicular power storage device
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP3514885B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3514885B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3514885B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A storage battery module according to an embodiment includes a plurality of storage batteries, a quadrangular plate-shaped member, a first partition plate, a heat-exchanger, a plurality of heat pipes, first brackets, and second brackets. Each of the second brackets includes a main body wall, a first end wall, a second end wall, and at least one screw insertion tube. Furthermore, through-holes which communicate with screw insertion tubes are formed in the first partition plate, the first end wall, and the second end wall. Moreover, a screw is inserted through the through-hole of the second end wall, each of the screw insertion tubes, the through-hole of the first end wall, and the through-hole of the first partition plate in this order and fixed to a fixed portion of an attachment target surface.