Battery Module Thermal Management via Dual-Function Heat Exchange Pipe

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery thermal management solutions fail to effectively address temperature uniformity and efficiency across battery cells and modules, leading to reduced performance, service life, and safety concerns, especially in harsh environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A battery module and system design incorporating a temperature control medium circulated through a system fluid circulation device, with a heat exchange pipe acting as both a current path and heat exchange medium, and an enclosure with high thermal insulation capabilities, including a vacuum layer, to achieve fast and high-energy efficient thermal management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional thermal management solutions are used, then basic cooling function is provided, but temperature uniformity and thermal management efficiency are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidthermal management efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heat exchange pipe with the current collection plate into a single integrated component. The heat exchange pipe serves dual functions as both a thermal management conduit and an electrical current collection path, eliminating the need for separate current collection plates and improving both temperature uniformity and system efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat exchange pipe is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as a thermal conduction path for cooling, as an electrical current collector for battery parallel connections, and as a structural support element. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by improving thermal management efficiency without adding additional components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If thermal insulation enclosure is added, then environmental temperature impact is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental temperature impactVSAvoidenclosure structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure employs composite thermal insulation structure combining vacuum insulation panels with reflective insulation layers. This composite approach provides superior thermal insulation performance against environmental temperature extremes while maintaining a compact and relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal insulation enclosure is designed with nested layers where vacuum insulation panels are positioned within the enclosure structure, and reflective insulation layers are placed between the vacuum panels and the battery module. This nested arrangement maximizes insulation effectiveness while minimizing structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If heat exchange pipe is integrated with current path, then thermal management efficiency improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management efficiencyVSAvoidheat exchange pipe connection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchange pipe is pre-connected to the battery terminals during battery assembly, establishing both thermal and electrical connections in advance. This preliminary integration allows for standardized connection processes and reduces the precision requirements during final assembly, as the heat exchange pipe is already positioned and connected before the battery module is completed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 significantly reduces the impact of environmental temperature, ensures quick thermal conditioning, and maintains temperature uniformity among battery cells, enhancing energy efficiency, service life, and user convenience while operating within a proper temperature range.

Implementation Method 1

The enclosure comprises a thermal insulation unit, a structural unit, and a channel. The thermal insulation unit shows excellent thermal insulation capability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

The system fluid is able to be of direct or indirect contact with the battery module for heat exchange

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

a heat exchange pipe acting as both a current path and heat exchange medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11611119B2Battery module, battery device, and battery system having thermal management design

Publication Date: 2023.03.21 YUN ENERGY LTD CO

AI summary

The present invention utilizes a three-stage thermal management design of battery module, battery device, and battery system that not only prevents the battery cells from being impacted by the environment temperature, but also efficiently controls the temperature of the battery cells, such that the battery cells can reach the requirements of temperature equalization and appropriate opening temperature. The thermal management design of the battery module is mainly a design of a battery cell charging and discharging circuit having heat exchange.