Battery Pack Heat Sink Placement for High-Density Cell Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery packs face challenges in increasing energy density, reducing weight, and enhancing cooling performance, particularly in limited spaces, where heat dissipation from multiple battery cells can lead to performance deterioration and increased risk of explosion or ignition.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring a battery module with side plates and connection members, integrated upper and lower heat sinks, and thermal resin layers, which allows for efficient coolant flow and improved cooling performance by positioning heat sinks on either side of connection members, thereby simplifying the module structure and maximizing energy density while reducing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a large number of battery cells are connected in series or parallel to form a battery module, then capacity and output are improved, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult and temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery module is divided into multiple battery cell stacks arranged in parallel, with each stack being a separate unit. This segmentation allows for better heat distribution and dissipation across multiple smaller units rather than one large dense module, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high power output and improving heat dissipation capability
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the battery cell stacks. The cooling plate includes cooling channels that facilitate heat transfer from the battery cells to the coolant, effectively mediating the heat dissipation process and enabling the battery module to maintain high power output without excessive temperature increase
2Temperature
If cooling systems are added to battery modules, then cooling performance is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plate is merged with the battery module structure itself, serving both as a structural support component and as a heat dissipation device. The cooling channels are integrated into the plate that already supports the battery cells, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective cooling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling plate performs multiple functions: it provides structural support for the battery cell stacks, serves as a heat dissipation device with integrated cooling channels, and acts as a mounting platform for the battery module. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying the overall system while improving cooling performance
3Temperature
If cooling systems are added to battery modules, then cooling performance is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plate is merged with the battery module structure itself, serving both as a structural support component and as a heat dissipation device. The cooling channels are integrated into the plate that already supports the battery cells, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective cooling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling plate performs multiple functions: it provides structural support for the battery cell stacks, serves as a heat dissipation device with integrated cooling channels, and acts as a mounting platform for the battery module. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying the overall system while improving cooling performance
4Quantity of substance
If energy density is increased by packing more battery cells, then capacity is improved, but space for heat dissipation and cooling becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are designed to extend in multiple dimensions within the battery module structure, utilizing vertical and horizontal spaces efficiently. The cooling plate is positioned between battery cell stacks in the vertical dimension, while cooling channels extend horizontally, maximizing heat dissipation capability without sacrificing energy density or requiring additional external space
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 enhances energy density per weight, simplifies the module structure, and improves cooling performance by effectively dissipating heat within limited spaces, reducing the risk of overheating and explosion, and optimizing the use of space within the battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink including at least one of an upper heat sink positioned in an upper part of the battery module or a lower heat sink positioned in a lower part of the battery module, and a cooling part through which coolant flows
Implementation Method 2
improved cooling performance by positioning heat sinks on either side of connection members
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery module including a battery cell stack having a plurality of battery cells, first and second side plates positioned on both side surfaces of the battery cell stack facing each other, and one or more connection members disposed on at least one of an upper part or a lower part of the battery cell stack and connecting the first and second side plates; a pack tray on which the battery module is disposed; and a heat sink including at least one of an upper heat sink positioned in an upper part of the battery module or a lower heat sink positioned in a lower part of the battery module, wherein each of the upper heat sink and the lower heat sink comprises a cooling part through which coolant flows, wherein the first and second side plates are coupled to the pack tray, and wherein the cooling part of the upper heat sink is positioned on one side of the connection member in the upper part of the battery module, and the cooling part of the lower heat sink is positioned at one side of the connection member in the lower part of the battery module.