Battery Module With Phase-Change Dielectric Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules for electric or hybrid vehicles are cumbersome due to the need for large dimensions to accommodate cooling systems, which is problematic in vehicles with limited space, such as those with batteries placed on the floor, requiring a reduction in module size or an increase in the number of modules to enhance performance.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a parallelepiped enclosure with dielectric material that changes phase with temperature and pressure, a hermetic membrane for pressure regulation, and a condenser for cooling, allowing for efficient use of space and compactness while maintaining effective cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cells are immersed in phase-change dielectric fluid for cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but module dimensions increase making the system cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible membrane separates the dielectric fluid cooling chamber from the atmospheric pressure chamber, allowing the cooling system to be compact while maintaining pressure differential. The membrane enables volume reduction of the cooling fluid chamber without compromising cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase change parameters of dielectric fluid (liquid-vapor transition) to achieve efficient cooling in a compact volume. By controlling temperature and pressure parameters, the fluid absorbs heat during evaporation and releases it during condensation, providing high cooling efficiency in reduced space.
2Stress or pressure
If pressure regulation is implemented using a deformable balloon connected to atmospheric pressure port, then pressure control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure regulation function is merged with the membrane structure itself. The flexible membrane acts as both the separator between chambers and the pressure-regulating element, eliminating the need for separate balloons or complex pressure control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane automatically regulates pressure through its deformation in response to pressure differential between chambers. When pressure in the dielectric fluid chamber increases, the membrane deforms to reduce volume, providing self-regulating pressure control without external intervention.
3Volume of stationary object
If module dimensions are reduced to fit vehicle floor space, then space utilization is improved, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The module is segmented into distinct functional chambers (cooling chamber with dielectric fluid, atmospheric pressure chamber with air) separated by the flexible membrane. This segmentation allows for modular assembly where components can be prepared separately and then integrated, simplifying assembly of the compact structure.
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 enables compact battery modules that efficiently cool cells, reduce material usage, and maintain performance, allowing for smaller battery sizes or increased module counts within a given space, thus improving vehicle efficiency and design.
Implementation Method 1
a material able to pass from a liquid phase to a vapor phase and vice versa according to temperature and/or pressure conditions
Implementation Method 2
a material able to pass from a liquid phase to a vapor phase and vice versa according to temperature and/or pressure conditions, in particular a dielectric material
Implementation Method 3
a condenser, the condenser being arranged within the enclosure above the cells
Implementation Method 4
a first hermetic membrane containing a gas, in particular air, the first membrane extending between the first wall of the enclosure and the first faces of the cells
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a module (51) for a battery comprising a housing (10), the housing (10) comprising a first wall (11) and a second wall (12), cells (2) comprising a first face and a second face, first connectors (26) intended to electrically connect cells (2) to each other on the side of the first face, a material (7) capable of passing from a liquid phase to a vapor phase and vice versa, a first hermetic membrane (20) containing a gas, the first membrane (20) extending between the first wall (11) of the housing (10) and the first faces of the cells (2), the first connectors (26) extending opposite the first faces of the cells (2) so that the first connectors (26) come into contact with the first membrane (20).