Battery Module Heatsink with Sequential Branching for Uniform Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules and packs experience temperature non-uniformity and reduced cooling performance due to the design of their heatsinks, which leads to increased pressure drop and inefficient coolant flow.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a heatsink with a sequential arrangement of branch locations along the coolant flow path, allowing the cooling channel to diverge into multiple branches, thereby distributing coolant evenly and minimizing pressure drop across the heatsink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the cooling channel bends in a zigzag shape on one side of the module case, then the cooling channel can be connected between inlet and outlet ports, but the flow rate of coolant is reduced at the bending portions and pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channel is segmented into multiple straight channels arranged in parallel, with each channel having substantially the same length. This segmentation eliminates the need for zigzag bends while maintaining connectivity between inlet and outlet ports, thereby preserving coolant flow rate and reducing pressure drop.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channel arrangement transitions from a single-sided zigzag configuration to a multi-dimensional parallel structure. Multiple straight channels are distributed across different spatial positions, allowing the coolant to flow through parallel paths without excessive bending, thus improving flow characteristics and reducing pressure drop.
2Device complexity
If the cooling channel is located on one side of the module case, then the heatsink structure is simplified, but temperature non-uniformity increases between cooled and non-cooled portions
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is distributed to multiple localized regions through parallel channels positioned at different locations within the heatsink. Each channel provides localized cooling to specific areas, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the battery module while maintaining a relatively simple overall heatsink structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The single cooling channel is segmented into multiple parallel channels distributed across different regions of the heatsink. This segmentation allows cooling coverage to be extended to multiple locations simultaneously, reducing temperature non-uniformity while keeping each individual channel simple and straightforward in design.
3Power
If multiple battery cells are connected in series or parallel, then the required output voltage and charge/discharge capacity are achieved, but the number of battery cells increases requiring a larger battery pack
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is segmented into multiple modular battery modules, each containing a subset of battery cells arranged in series or parallel configurations. This modular segmentation allows flexible assembly to achieve required power specifications while optimizing space utilization and reducing overall pack volume compared to a single large configuration.
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 design reduces temperature non-uniformity among battery cells and enhances cooling performance by maintaining relatively equal pressure values across the heatsink, thereby improving overall cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heatsink provided on at least one side of the module case to cool the plurality of battery cells by means of a flow of a coolant
Implementation Method 2
a cooling channel having a sequential arrangement of branch locations along a direction of the flow of the coolant, the flow of the coolant being defined from an inlet side to an outlet side of the heatsink
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells; a module case configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells; and heatsink provided on at least one side of the module case to cool the plurality of battery cells by means of a flow of a coolant. The heatsink may include a cooling channel having a sequential arrangement of branch locations along a direction of the flow of the coolant, defined from an inlet side to an outlet side of the heatsink, where the cooling channel diverges into a plurality of branches at each of the branch locations.