Battery Module Recessed Groove for Cooling Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing battery module designs face issues with deformation and degradation of cooling performance due to high temperature and vibration, which can cause the heat conducting member to detach from the flat bottom surface of the battery case, leading to reduced cooling efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a recessed groove on the opposite wall of the battery case that houses the electrode bodies, allowing the heat conducting member to fill the space between the wall and the cooler, enhancing rigidity and contact area, thereby reducing deformation and maintaining cooling performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a flat bottom surface is used on the battery case, then the contact area with the heat conducting member is large for excellent heat dissipation, but the rigidity of the bottom surface is reduced making it prone to deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact area between case and heat conducting memberVSAvoidrigidity of bottom surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom surface of the battery case is designed with a recessed groove that creates a curved, non-planar structure. This curvature enhances the rigidity of the bottom surface by creating structural reinforcement similar to how curved surfaces resist deformation better than flat surfaces, while still maintaining adequate contact area with the heat conducting member through the grooved configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Temperature

If the heat conducting member is placed between the case and cooler, then cooling performance is improved, but vibration can cause the heat conducting member to detach from the case

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidstability of heat conducting member connection

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The recessed groove in the bottom surface creates a curved configuration that mechanically interlocks with the heat conducting member. This curved structure prevents the heat conducting member from detaching during vibration by creating a geometric constraint that resists dislodgement, while still maintaining thermal contact between the case and cooler.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Loss of energy

If the entire bottom surface is made flat to maximize contact area, then heat dissipation is excellent, but the case is more prone to deformation under high temperature and vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidstructural stability of case

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The recessed groove introduces curvature into the bottom surface design, creating structural reinforcement that resists deformation under thermal and vibrational stress. The grooved configuration maintains adequate heat dissipation capability by preserving sufficient contact area between the case and heat conducting member while improving structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The bottom surface is segmented into multiple regions by the recessed groove, creating distinct zones that provide both structural reinforcement and thermal contact areas. This segmentation allows the surface to maintain rigidity in certain regions while preserving heat dissipation capability in others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances the rigidity of the battery case and increases the contact area between the heat conducting member and the case, reducing the likelihood of deformation and cooling performance degradation without compromising energy density.

Implementation Method 1

a heat conducting member disposed between the at least one secondary battery and the cooler so as to bring the at least one secondary battery and the cooler into thermal contact with each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11515592B2Battery module

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A battery module includes a secondary battery, a cooler, and a heat conducting member disposed between the secondary battery and the cooler. The secondary battery has at least one electrode body and a case. The case has an opposite wall facing the cooler. The opposite wall has a recessed groove shaped so as to be depressed toward the inside of the case. The heat conducting member fills a space between the opposite wall and the cooler including the inside of the recessed groove.