Battery Module Cooling Channel via Pouch Cell Slits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules face challenges in simplifying their structure and reducing costs due to the need for separate components and space for cooling channels, limiting cell capacity and increasing process costs.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design utilizing pouch cells with slits in a bottom plate and a side plate to form empty spaces as cooling channels, allowing for efficient fluid flow and connection between modules via a cooling hose, eliminating the need for additional connecting components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling channel is separately designed for cooling the battery cells, then the cooling function is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and the space for mounting cells is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channel is merged with the frame structure by utilizing the empty spaces naturally formed between adjacent pouch cells when their edge portions are inserted into the slits of the bottom plate. This integration eliminates the need for separate cooling channel components while maintaining effective cooling functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the cell assembly and simultaneously forms cooling channels through the empty spaces between adjacent cells. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while achieving both structural and thermal management requirements.
2Temperature
If a cooling channel is separately designed, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing costs increase due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channel functionality is combined with the existing frame structure, eliminating the need for separate cooling channel components. This reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and inventoried, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The empty spaces between adjacent pouch cells automatically form the cooling channels when the cells are assembled into the frame. The structure self-generates the cooling pathway through its own geometry, eliminating the need for separately manufactured cooling components and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Temperature
If separate components are added for cooling channels, then cooling capability is improved, but the number of components increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channel function is merged into the frame structure itself, using the empty spaces between adjacent cells as the cooling pathway. This eliminates separate cooling channel components and reduces the total number of parts in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channel is extracted from being a separate component and is instead formed by the spatial arrangement of existing components (the empty spaces between cells). This extraction of the cooling function from separate hardware reduces component count while maintaining functionality.
4Temperature
If empty spaces are formed between pouch cells, then cooling channels are created, but structural support may be weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is merged with the cooling channel function, where the same structural elements that provide mechanical support also define the cooling pathways. The empty spaces between cells serve dual purposes as both cooling channels and structural features.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure performs multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the cell assembly and simultaneously defines the cooling channels through the empty spaces. This multi-functionality ensures that structural integrity is maintained while achieving effective cooling.
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 simplifies the battery module structure, reduces manufacturing costs, and enables efficient cooling without the need for separate cooling channel components, while allowing for easy connection of multiple modules.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling fluid to flow
Implementation Method 2
cooling the battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a battery module, which includes: a cell assembly composed of pouch cells; a bottom plate configured to support the cell assembly and having slits formed therein at predetermined intervals so that edge portions of the pouch cells are put therein; and a side plate provided perpendicular to a plane of the bottom plate and disposed adjacent to an outermost side of the cell assembly, wherein as the edge portions of the pouch cells are put into the slits of the bottom plate, empty spaces are respectively formed between adjacent edge portions, and wherein the empty spaces are used as a cooling channel.