Integrated Battery Module Cooling Channels for Dense Cell Thermal Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy-storage systems in electric vehicles face inefficiencies due to large size and weight, and inadequate thermal management, leading to heat generation and temperature imbalances among battery cells, which affect performance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design incorporating a housing with cooling channels and cell holders that utilize a cooling fluid to manage heat, with the cooling fluid flowing through channels bounded by the housing components, allowing for efficient thermal management without increasing weight or reducing energy storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If present thermal management solutions are implemented, then heat management is improved, but space occupation increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are integrated directly into the housing structure, merging the thermal management function with the structural housing. This eliminates the need for separate cooling components, thereby managing heat effectively while avoiding additional weight from redundant parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support and simultaneously acts as part of the thermal management system through integrated cooling channels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby managing heat without increasing weight.
2Temperature
If present thermal management solutions are implemented, then heat management is improved, but space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are merged with the housing structure, so the thermal management system occupies no additional space. The housing walls themselves form the cooling channels, eliminating the need for separate cooling compartments or external cooling units.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channels are formed within the walls of the housing, utilizing the vertical/thickness dimension of the housing structure rather than occupying additional horizontal space. This allows thermal management without increasing the footprint of the battery module.
3Quantity of substance
If battery cells are placed in close proximity, then energy storage capacity is improved, but temperature imbalance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are positioned to provide localized cooling to different regions of the battery module. The housing walls with integrated channels ensure that heat is dissipated uniformly across all battery cells, preventing temperature imbalances even when cells are densely packed.
4Quantity of substance
If battery cells are placed in close proximity, then energy storage capacity is improved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged into the housing structure itself, allowing heat to be dissipated directly at the source where battery cells are densely packed. This enables high energy storage capacity while effectively managing the increased heat generation through the integrated cooling channels.
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
The solution effectively manages heat generation within the battery module, improving temperature uniformity and reducing the temperature difference between cells, thereby enhancing the performance and longevity of the battery pack while maintaining energy storage capacity and reducing weight.
Implementation Method 1
an inlet fluidly connected with the housing for feeding the cooling fluid into the housing; an outlet fluidly connected with the housing for feeding the cooling fluid away from the housing
Data Source
AI summary
Battery module and method for cooling the battery module are provided. The battery module comprises a housing and a plurality of battery cells positioned inside the housing, an inlet for feeding the cooling fluid into the housing and an outlet for feeding the cooling fluid away from the housing, a first cell holder and a second cell holder for holding battery cells, each cell holder positioned inside the housing, the first cell holder and the second cell holder spaced apart and each cell holder connected to the housing. The module further comprises a first cooling channel partially bounded by a housing cover and the first cell holder, a second cooling channel partially bounded by a housing base and the second cell holder, a middle cooling channel partially bounded by the first cell holder and the second cell holder. The first cooling channel and the second cooling channel are fluidly connected both to the inlet and the middle cooling channel, and the middle cooling channel is fluidly connected with the outlet. The battery cells are projecting inside the first cooling channel and/or the second cooling channel.