Secondary Battery Module Wiring and Cooling Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secondary battery modules face challenges in miniaturization due to the need for harnesses to be arranged along the upper surface of holder cases, which interferes with coolant flow and requires increased height, complicating insulation and fixing processes.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves gathering harnesses and wiring within a space region formed outside a communication member and between the case wall section and cell blocks, allowing for coolant flow without interference and reducing the overall height of the module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If harnesses are arranged along the upper surface of holder cases, then insulation space is improved, but the height dimension increases and miniaturization is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation spaceVSAvoidheight dimension
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the harness arrangement from a vertical/dimensional approach (along the upper surface requiring height) to a horizontal/plane approach (on the bottom surface within the footprint), effectively using another dimension to resolve the space conflict without increasing height

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If harnesses are arranged along the upper surface of holder cases, then insulation is achieved, but fixing work becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinsulationVSAvoidfixing work complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the harness arrangement into distinct regions: the first harness is fixed to the bottom surface at a specific position, while the second harness is routed through the communication member. This segmentation simplifies the fixing process by providing clear, separate attachment points and paths for each harness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication member acts as an intermediary element that facilitates the routing and fixation of the second harness. By using this intermediate component, the harness can be securely guided and fixed without requiring complex direct attachment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If power supply line is arranged in parallel to holder case surface, then cooling efficiency is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidarrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power supply line arrangement with the holder case structure by positioning the line along the bottom surface in close proximity to the battery cells. This integration maintains effective cooling contact while simplifying the overall arrangement by eliminating the need for separate parallel mounting structures

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 enables miniaturization of the power supply unit, improves durability by securing wirings at constant positions, and simplifies assembly and maintenance by reducing the number of components and fixing complexity.

Implementation Method 1

the power supply modules are cooled by introducing cooling air to the inside of the outer case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2698862B1Secondary battery module
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYST LTD
  • EP2698862B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2698862B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2698862B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A secondary battery module 1 of the present invention stores cell blocks 40 in a module case 2, and cools battery cells 101 in the cell blocks 40 by circulating coolant to the inside of the cell blocks by introduction of the coolant into the module case 2. The secondary battery module has a structure of communicating coolant circulation ports 22 that open to a case wall section 21 of the module case 2 and coolant circulation ports 62a that open to the cell blocks 40 with each other by a communication member 71, and passing wiring through a space region 80 formed outside the communication member 71 and between the case wall section 21 and the cell blocks 40. Thus, wiring can be executed without interfering flow of the coolant, and the total secondary battery module 1 can be miniaturized.