Battery pack and electric equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery packs in electric vehicles are prone to thermal runaway and explosion when subjected to thermal, electrical, or mechanical abuse, leading to chain reactions that result in the scrapping of the battery pack.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design incorporating a battery module with alternately arranged liquid cooling plates and reinforcement beams, along with independently isolated cell groups, to enhance mechanical strength and prevent thermal runaway.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If battery cells are arranged closely to increase energy density, then the productivity and space utilization are improved, but the mechanical strength is reduced and thermal runaway risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is segmented into multiple independent cell groups separated by reinforcement beams and liquid cooling plates. This segmentation divides the battery system into isolated units that can withstand mechanical stress independently and prevent thermal runaway propagation, thereby maintaining high energy density while improving mechanical strength and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If battery cells are arranged closely to increase energy density, then the space utilization is improved, but the reliability is reduced due to increased thermal runaway risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidthermal runaway resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into independent cell groups separated by reinforcement beams and liquid cooling plates, creating physical barriers that isolate thermal runaway events to individual groups while maintaining high overall energy density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Liquid cooling plates are positioned between adjacent cell groups to act as thermal intermediaries. These plates actively manage heat transfer between groups, preventing thermal runaway propagation while allowing the battery pack to maintain high energy density through close cell arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If reinforcement structures are added to improve mechanical strength, then the strength is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement beams serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide mechanical strength to the battery pack structure, act as physical barriers to thermal runaway propagation, and serve as mounting structures for liquid cooling plates. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while achieving improved mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement structure is merged with the thermal management structure by integrating liquid cooling plates onto the reinforcement beams. This combination eliminates separate structural and thermal management systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining both mechanical strength and thermal safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If liquid cooling plates are added to prevent thermal runaway, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal runaway resistanceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid cooling plates serve dual functions: they actively cool battery cells to prevent thermal runaway and provide structural support as mounting surfaces for reinforcement beams. This multi-functionality improves thermal safety while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal management system is merged with the structural framework by positioning liquid cooling plates on reinforcement beams. This integration allows the structural elements to also serve thermal management purposes, reducing overall system complexity while improving reliability.

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

The design effectively reinforces the battery pack's strength, prevents chain thermal runaway, and ensures independent isolation of each cell group, improving safety and reducing the risk of battery pack failure.

Implementation Method 1

The liquid cooling module includes a plurality of liquid cooling plates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The reinforcement module includes a plurality of reinforcement beams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStructural reinforcement:

Data Source

PatentEP4471939A1Battery pack and electric equipment
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 EVE ENERGY CO LTD
  • EP4471939A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4471939A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4471939A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a battery pack (1) and an electric equipment. The battery pack (1) includes a battery module (20), a reinforcement module (12), and a liquid cooling module (30). The battery module (20) includes a plurality of cell groups (200) arranged at intervals along a first direction. Each cell group (200) includes a plurality of battery cells (21) arranged at intervals along a second direction. The reinforcement module (12) includes a plurality of reinforcement beams (121). The liquid cooling module (30) includes a plurality of liquid cooling plates (31). The plurality of liquid cooling plates (31) and the plurality of reinforcement beams (121) are alternately arranged along the first direction. One cell group (200) is provided between every adjacent two of the liquid cooling plates (31) and the reinforcement beams (121).