Battery Module Side-Cooling Plate for Tall Cell Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal management methods for secondary batteries, particularly for larger cells, are inefficient, leading to reduced energy density and stability as the height of the cells increases, as they rely on cooling at the bottom which becomes less effective and requires thicker cooling plates.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery module design incorporating a cooling plate with a partition wall and coolant inlet/outlet configuration on one side, along with a housing that securely fixes the cooling plate using grooves in end, front, top, and bottom plates, allowing side cooling and minimizing space occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional bottom cooling method is used for larger cells with increased height, then cooling capability is maintained, but cooling efficiency decreases and cooling plate thickness must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional bottom cooling approach by implementing side cooling. The cooling plate is positioned at the side of the battery cell rather than at the bottom, with coolant inlet and outlet both located on the same side surface. This inversion allows the cooling plate to be thinner while maintaining effective cooling contact with the battery cell, resolving the contradiction between cooling efficiency and cooling plate thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from bottom cooling (vertical heat dissipation direction) to side cooling (horizontal heat dissipation direction). By changing the dimensional orientation of the cooling approach, the system achieves better cooling efficiency with a thinner cooling plate, as the coolant can flow more effectively along the side surface of the battery cell.
2Quantity of substance
If cell height is increased to improve energy density, then energy density improves, but cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies side cooling instead of bottom cooling, inverting the conventional cooling orientation. This allows taller battery cells to be effectively cooled along their side surfaces, maintaining cooling efficiency even as cell height increases to improve energy density.
3Volume of stationary object
If cooling plate is positioned between cell stacks, then space utilization improves, but cooling effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the cooling plate on the side between cell stacks rather than at the bottom, inverting the conventional cooling plate placement. The coolant inlet and outlet are both located on the same side surface, allowing the cooling plate to be thin and space-efficient while maintaining effective cooling contact with adjacent battery cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling plate includes a partition wall that divides the inner space into multiple sub-spaces, segmenting the coolant flow path. This segmentation allows the coolant to flow through multiple channels, improving cooling effectiveness across different regions of the battery cell while maintaining a compact, space-efficient design.
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
Enhances cooling efficiency and maintains energy density by effectively cooling larger cells through a side cooling method, stabilizing battery performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one cooling plate between the at least two (adjacent) cell stacks... effectively cooling larger cells through a side cooling method
Data Source
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AI summary
A secondary battery module includes two cell stacks, each of the two cell stacks including a plurality of unit cells, the plurality of unit cells arranged along a first direction, a cooling plate between the two cell stacks, and a housing configured to accommodate the two cell stacks and the cooling plate, wherein the cooling plate includes a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet on a first side surface of the cooling plate.