Battery Module Thermal Management via Inter-Cell PTC Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion battery modules face challenges with low-temperature performance and heat dissipation, leading to degraded cold cranking and potential battery cell deterioration due to excessive heat generation during charge/discharge operations.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a plurality of aligned battery cells with a heat conducting member and a heat dissipation member, including a heat generating element and a liquid cooling plate, which rapidly transfers heat away from the cells to improve cooling efficiency and low-temperature performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a lithium-ion battery cell is used, then energy density and power output are improved, but low-temperature performance deteriorates due to large internal resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the heat generated by the PTC element (which could be considered waste heat or harmful thermal effect) to beneficially warm the battery cell during cold cranking operations. This converts the potentially harmful thermal effect into a useful function that reduces internal resistance and improves low-temperature performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The PTC element acts as an intermediary device between the power source and the battery cell. It provides a controlled heating mechanism that mediates the temperature difference between the cold environment and the battery, enabling cold cranking without directly modifying the battery cell structure.
2Power
If high-power charge/discharge operation is performed, then power output is improved, but heat generation increases causing battery cell deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat management function from the battery cell system by introducing a separate PTC element and heating assembly. This allows the battery cell to focus on energy storage while the dedicated heating component handles thermal management, separating the harmful heat generation from the power output function.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating assembly provides preliminary heating action before high-power discharge operations. By pre-warming the battery cell, the system prepares the battery for high-power operation, reducing the risk of excessive heat generation during subsequent discharge cycles and preventing deterioration.
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 enhances low-temperature performance and heat dissipation characteristics, enabling effective cold cranking and reducing battery cell deterioration through efficient heat transfer and management.
Implementation Method 1
a heat conducting member interposed between the neighboring battery cells... heat generated from the battery cells is transferred to an exterior of the battery cells
Implementation Method 2
The heat dissipation member may be a liquid cooling plate having a liquid coolant filled therein
Implementation Method 3
The heat conducting member may be constructed with at least one electronic element that generates a change in temperature of the battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module capable of improving low-temperature performance and heat dissipation characteristics. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells and a heat conducting member. The plurality of battery cells are aligned in one direction. The heat conducting member is interposed between the neighboring battery cells, and has at least one electronic element that generates a change in temperature of the battery cells.