Battery Module with Segmented Cell Barriers for Uniform Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules face challenges in downsizing and achieving even cooling of unit cells, leading to performance deterioration due to insufficient heat dissipation, particularly in high-power applications.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design incorporating a stack of unit cells with interposed cell barriers that provide coolant passages, allowing for efficient circulation of coolant through the module, with inlet and outlet configurations to direct coolant flow effectively and minimize module volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If unit cells are arranged in a stacked structure to increase capacity, then the battery module can provide higher power, but the volume of the battery module increases and cooling becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional vertical stacking arrangement to a horizontal planar arrangement of unit cells. Multiple unit cells are disposed side-by-side in the same plane rather than stacked vertically, which reduces the overall height and volume of the battery module while maintaining high power capacity through increased cell density in the horizontal direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery module is divided into multiple independent cooling zones, with each unit cell having its own dedicated coolant passage. This segmentation allows for independent cooling control of each cell, improving overall cooling efficiency and heat dissipation capability without requiring a large volume cooling system.
2Quantity of substance
If unit cells are arranged in a stacked structure, then the battery module capacity increases, but even cooling of all unit cells becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
Each unit cell is equipped with its own separate coolant passage, creating independent cooling channels for each cell. This segmentation ensures that coolant flows uniformly through each cell's passage, achieving even cooling across all unit cells regardless of their position in the module, and preventing thermal hotspots that would compromise reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is customized for each local position by providing individual coolant passages tailored to each unit cell's specific thermal characteristics and location. This local quality approach ensures optimal cooling performance for each cell, maintaining uniform temperature distribution across the entire module.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional cooling structures are used with stacked unit cells, then the battery module can be assembled, but cooling efficiency is insufficient and heat dissipation is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant passages are integrated directly into the cell barriers that separate adjacent unit cells, merging the structural support function with the cooling function. This integration eliminates the need for separate cooling components, maintaining ease of assembly while dramatically improving heat dissipation efficiency through direct contact cooling of each unit cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The cell barriers serve as intermediary structures that simultaneously provide mechanical separation between unit cells and conduct thermal energy away from each cell through integrated coolant passages. This dual-function intermediary design enables effective heat dissipation without complicating the assembly process.
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 cooling efficiency, ensures even temperature distribution among unit cells, and reduces the overall volume of the battery module, improving performance and reliability, especially in high-power applications.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant passage (14) formed through the cell barrier (13)... circulating a coolant... cooling efficiency... even temperature distribution
Implementation Method 2
circulating a coolant... inlet formed on an upper side of the stack... outlet formed in the housing... discharge the coolant
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a battery module including an aggregation comprising unit cells and a housing for housing the aggregation and circulating a coolant therein. The housing includes an inlet part disposed on an upper side of the aggregation, through which the coolant can flow into and along the housing in a length direction, and an outlet part connected to the inlet part, through which the coolant can be released out of the housing after cooling the unit cells while passing the aggregation.