Battery Module Temperature Sensor Groove Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery modules face challenges in maintaining efficient cooling and preventing temperature sensor damage due to concentrated loads, which can lead to inaccurate temperature measurement and safety issues, especially in high-power, large-capacity applications like electric vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A battery module structure is designed with a temperature sensor mounted in a groove on a corresponding member contacting the battery cell, increasing the contact area and preventing load concentration, while heat dissipation members are strategically placed to enhance cooling efficiency and structural stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the temperature sensor is directly mounted between battery cells without a groove, then the contact area is small and load concentrates on the sensor, but the structure is simpler

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature sensor durabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The groove is formed locally at the specific position where the temperature sensor needs to be mounted, creating a localized structural feature that provides both mounting support and load distribution without complicating the entire structure. This local modification resolves the contradiction by adding complexity only where necessary to improve sensor reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The groove acts as an intermediary structure between the temperature sensor and the battery cell, providing a dedicated mounting space that distributes mechanical loads. This intermediary feature protects the sensor from direct mechanical stress while maintaining thermal contact, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If battery cells are stacked with large intervals for heat dissipation, then cooling efficiency improves, but the battery module size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidbattery module size

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Heat dissipation members are introduced as intermediary components between battery cells, providing an alternative heat transfer path through thermal conduction. These members enable effective heat dissipation without requiring large intervals between cells, thus resolving the contradiction between cooling efficiency and compact size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Coolant channels are integrated into the heat dissipation members, introducing fluid-based cooling (water cooling) to enhance heat removal efficiency. This allows for effective thermal management in a compact configuration, resolving the contradiction between heat dissipation performance and module size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Temperature

If coolant channels are defined between stacked battery cells, then heat dissipation improves, but the number of channels increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions are merged into the heat dissipation members: structural support, thermal conduction path, and coolant channel housing. By combining these functions into single integrated components, the cooling system achieves effective heat dissipation while minimizing the number of separate parts and assembly steps, resolving the contradiction between cooling efficiency and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration ensures stable temperature measurement, improved cooling efficiency, and enhanced safety by preventing temperature sensor damage and maintaining a compact structure, while effectively managing heat dissipation through both thermal conduction and water cooling.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor to measure the temperature of at least one of the battery cells is disposed between the at least one of the battery cells and a corresponding member contacting the at least one of the battery cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

heat dissipation members are strategically placed to enhance cooling efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

effectively managing heat dissipation through both thermal conduction and water cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9735451B2Battery module having temperature sensor and battery pack employed with the same

Publication Date: 2017.08.15 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a battery module including two or more battery cells, wherein the battery module is configured in a structure in which a sensor (a “temperature sensor”) to measure the temperature of at least one of the battery cells is disposed between the at least one of the battery cells and a corresponding member contacting the at least one of the battery cells, the corresponding member is provided at a region thereof contacting the at least one of the battery cells with a groove formed in a shape corresponding to the temperature sensor, and the temperature sensor is disposed in contact with the outside of the at least one of the battery cells in a state in which the temperature sensor is mounted in the groove.