Battery Pack Bus Bar Positioning for Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing battery pack designs face challenges in miniaturization due to the large area occupied by switching devices and bus bars in the direction of electrode terminal arrangement, which also hinders efficient heat dissipation.

Innovation Solution

The battery pack incorporates a base with a heat dissipation wall and positions the bus bar connection terminals to align with the width of the switching device, allowing heat transfer to the base while minimizing the area occupied by the bus bar and switching device in the electrode terminal direction, thus enhancing heat dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the connection terminal of the bus bar is positioned at a location distant from the power element in the electrode terminal arranging direction, then the electrical connection is achieved, but the area occupied by the switching device and bus bar increases in the electrode terminal arranging direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidarea occupied by switching device and bus bar

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection terminal of the bus bar is positioned in the direction orthogonal to the electrode terminal arranging direction (width direction), rather than extending in the electrode terminal arranging direction. This dimensional repositioning allows electrical connection while minimizing the area occupied in the critical electrode terminal arranging direction, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving electrical connection and reducing occupied area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of moving object

If the switching device and bus bar are arranged to minimize area in the electrode terminal direction, then miniaturization is achieved, but heat dissipation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearea occupied by switching device and bus barVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The base is designed with a heat dissipation wall at a specific location (opposite to the battery arranging direction) to enhance heat dissipation capability locally. This allows the switching device and bus bar to be compact in the electrode terminal arranging direction while still achieving effective heat dissipation through the dedicated heat dissipation wall structure, thus resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and heat dissipation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the connection terminal extends beyond the switching device in the electrode terminal direction, then electrical components can be connected, but the overall device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection capabilityVSAvoiddevice size in electrode terminal direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection terminal is repositioned in the width direction (orthogonal to electrode terminal arranging direction) rather than extending in the electrode terminal arranging direction. This dimensional change allows electrical components to be connected while keeping the device compact in the electrode terminal direction, thus resolving the contradiction between connection capability and device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 reduces the size of the switching device and bus bar in the electrode terminal direction, improves heat dissipation, and increases the permissible current value, leading to enhanced performance and reduced fuel consumption in vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

a switching device for controlling current having a plurality of electrode terminals, being disposed so as to be capable of transferring heat to the heat dissipation wall, and a bus bar, which is disposed so as to be capable of transferring heat to the heat dissipation wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10651519B2Battery pack

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 DENSO CORP

AI summary

The battery pack includes a base having a heat dissipation wall, a switching device for controlling current having a plurality of electrode terminals, being disposed so as to be capable of transferring released heat to the heat dissipation wall, and a bus bar having a connection terminal that is connected to the switching device or a unit cell so as to enable energization. The connection terminal is disposed so as to be positioned in an area corresponding to a width of the switching device in a direction in which the electrode terminals are arranged in line and in an area extending to a periphery of the switching device in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the electrode terminals are arranged in line.