Battery Module Spacer Design for Thermal Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric vehicle battery modules, temperature irregularities occur among battery cells due to uneven cooling medium temperatures, leading to higher temperatures at the ends of the module, which can cause thermal management issues.
Innovation Solution
The energy storage apparatus features a configuration with inner and outer spacers that define passages for the cooling medium, where the outer passage has a larger cross-sectional area than the inner passage, ensuring higher heat transfer efficiency at the ends and reducing temperature disparities among battery cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform cutaway portions are formed in all spacers, then manufacturing is simplified, but temperature irregularities occur among battery cells due to uneven cooling medium temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the cutaway portion dimensions between outer spacers and inner spacers. Specifically, the outer spacers have larger cutaway portions (greater width and/or depth) compared to the inner spacers, creating localized variations in cooling medium flow paths that compensate for the higher temperatures at end battery cells. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining uniform manufacturing processes while achieving non-uniform cooling performance where needed.
2Device complexity
If cooling medium flows through uniform passages, then system complexity is reduced, but heat transfer efficiency becomes insufficient at end battery cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating different passage cross-sectional areas at different locations along the battery module. The outer passages (at end battery cells) have larger cross-sectional areas due to larger outer spacer cutaway portions, while inner passages have smaller areas. This localized variation in passage geometry enhances heat transfer efficiency at the critical end regions without requiring complete redesign of the entire cooling system, thus resolving the contradiction between system complexity and heat transfer efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If end battery cells receive the same cooling as inner cells, then uniform cooling is achieved, but end cells still overheat due to heat generation from supply and discharge devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this contradiction by applying local quality through differentiated spacer designs at the ends of the battery module. The outer spacers have larger cutaway portions that create expanded cooling passages, allowing increased cooling medium flow and enhanced heat dissipation specifically at the end battery cells. This compensates for the additional heat generated by supply and discharge devices while maintaining simple uniform operation of the overall cooling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively designing larger cooling passages at the end battery cells before overheating occurs. The expanded cutaway portions in outer spacers pre-establish enhanced cooling capacity at the vulnerable end regions, counteracting the anticipated heat generation from supply and discharge devices before thermal problems arise.
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 allows for enhanced heat exchange at the ends of the battery module, preventing excessive temperature rise and maintaining uniformity among energy storage devices, thereby improving thermal management and extending the lifespan of the battery cells.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of spacers which are arranged adjacently to the energy storage devices; and a holder which collectively holds the energy storage devices and the spacers, wherein each of the spacers defines, with the energy storage device adjacently arranged to the spacer, a passage
Implementation Method 2
heat generated by the supply device is transferred to a cooling medium which flows around the one end portion of the battery module, and heat generated by the discharge device is transferred to a cooling medium around the other end portion of the battery module
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage apparatus includes: a plurality of energy storage devices arranged in a row in a first direction; and a plurality of spacers which are arranged adjacently to the energy storage devices in the first direction. Each of the spacers includes a passage defining portion which defines, with the energy storage device arranged adjacently to the spacer in the first direction, passages. The energy storage devices arranged at both ends in the first direction are cooled more easily than the energy storage devices arranged between the energy storage devices arranged at both ends in the first direction.