Battery Module Wrap Structure for Cooling and Swelling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules suffer from limited cooling performance and swelling issues due to inhibited heat transfer and inadequate deformation absorption, particularly in large-sized modules with increased cell stacking.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring an exterior member made of an elastic material that wraps the cell stack, exposing its central lower surface for direct contact with a thermal conductive resin layer, and incorporating compression pads to absorb deformation, while pressing the stack in multiple directions to prevent swelling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the exterior member is positioned between the battery cell stack and the thermal conductive resin layer, then the battery cell stack is protected from external impact, but heat transfer is inhibited due to air layers formed between the exterior member and the battery cell stack or between the exterior member and the thermal conductive resin layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thermal insulation function from the exterior member by introducing a dedicated thermal conductive layer between the exterior member and the battery cell stack. This thermal conductive layer is in direct contact with both the battery cell stack and the exterior member, creating a separate thermal management pathway that does not interfere with the protective function of the exterior member.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal conductive layer acts as an intermediary component between the battery cell stack and the exterior member. It mediates the thermal transfer by providing a direct thermal pathway while allowing the exterior member to maintain its protective role without direct thermal contact requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the compression pad is positioned between the battery cell stack and the exterior member, then the battery cell stack is constrained, but the compression pad is limited in absorbing deformation in the width direction of the battery module
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid compression pad with a flexible compression film that wraps around the battery cell stack. This flexible film can deform in multiple directions including the width direction, providing enhanced adaptability while maintaining the constraining function. The film's flexibility allows it to absorb deformation in various directions rather than being limited to a single direction like a rigid pad.
3Quantity of substance
If the battery module is enlarged with increased number of battery cells stacked, then the capacity is increased, but the cooling deviation between the battery cells is further deepening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal management system by introducing multiple thermal conductive layers at different locations within the battery module. Each thermal conductive layer is positioned to contact specific battery cells or groups of cells, creating distributed thermal pathways that reduce temperature deviations across the entire stack. This segmentation approach allows each layer to manage thermal conditions for its specific region, preventing cumulative cooling deviations in large modules.
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 performance by direct heat transfer and reduces swelling, improving the module's structural stability and extending its lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
heat generated in the battery cell 11 flows to the thermal conductive resin layer 14 via the exterior member 30
Implementation Method 2
the exterior member 30 are opened in its front and rear surfaces, so that the front and back surfaces of the battery cell stack 12 housed in the exterior member 30 are opened
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a battery cell stack containing a plurality of battery cells stacked along a first direction; and an exterior member that wraps the outer surface of the battery cell stack, in which a central portion of the lower surface of the battery cell stack is opened, wherein one end part of the exterior member is attached to one side part of the lower surface of the battery cell stack, and wherein the other end part of the exterior member is attached to the other side part of the lower surface of the battery cell stack.