Battery Pack Cooling Plate Layout to Prevent Coolant Leakage

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery packs face challenges in preventing coolant from entering the inner case member due to potential leakage at joint portions, which compromises the cooling system's effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design featuring a cooling plate with a coolant path, an entrance and exit portion connected to a coolant tube, and a second portion protruding on the outer side of the case member, ensuring that coolant flows externally and is contained within the coolant path, preventing entry into the case member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a coolant path is introduced into the inner space of the case member, then cooling efficiency is improved, but coolant leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidcoolant leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling plate is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion that faces the inner space for cooling function, and a second portion that protrudes outward to house the entrance and exit portions. This segmentation separates the coolant flow path from the inner space, allowing efficient cooling while preventing leakage into the case member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second portion of the cooling plate acts as an intermediary structure between the coolant tube and the inner space. It provides a protected interface where the coolant tube connects to the cooling plate, preventing direct exposure of connection points to the inner space and thereby eliminating leakage risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If the cooling plate faces the inner space, then cooling performance is improved, but leakage protection is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidcoolant entry into case

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling plate is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion that faces the inner space for cooling function, and a second portion that protrudes outward to house the entrance and exit portions. This segmentation separates the coolant flow path from the inner space, allowing efficient cooling while preventing leakage into the case member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling plate extends in the vertical direction with the second portion protruding outward, creating a dimensional separation between the coolant connection points and the inner space. This spatial arrangement in another dimension ensures that even if leakage occurs, coolant cannot enter the case member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If entrance and exit portions are located on the first portion, then cooling efficiency is improved, but leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidleakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The entrance and exit portions are extracted from the first portion and relocated to the second portion that protrudes outward. This extraction removes the vulnerable connection points from the inner space environment, eliminating leakage risk while the first portion maintains its cooling function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The second portion of the cooling plate acts as an intermediary structure between the coolant tube and the inner space. It provides a protected interface where the coolant tube connects to the cooling plate, preventing direct exposure of connection points to the inner space and thereby eliminating leakage risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design effectively prevents coolant from entering the case member, even in the event of leakage, while maintaining efficient cooling through the coolant path, thus enhancing the reliability and performance of the battery pack.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling plate provided with a coolant path through which a coolant flows

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a coolant is caused to flow in the cooling plate, thereby cooling battery cells accommodated in a case member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20230275284A1Battery pack

Publication Date: 2023.08.31 PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A battery pack includes: a plurality of battery cells; a case member including an inner space in which the plurality of battery cells are accommodated, a cooling plate provided with a coolant path through which a coolant flows, and a side surface portion defining the inner space together with the cooling plate; an entrance portion for the coolant into the coolant path of the cooling plate; an exit portion for the coolant from the coolant path of the cooling plate; and a coolant tube connected to the entrance portion and the exit portion. The cooling plate includes a first portion facing the inner space and a second portion protruding on an outer side with respect to the side surface portion of the case member. The entrance portion and the exit portion for the coolant are connected to the second portion.