Battery Pack Air Cooling Structure with Segmented Module Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face challenges in achieving high cooling efficiency and uniform temperature distribution due to the vertical stacking of modules, which leads to reduced lifespan and performance, especially when coolant flow channels are formed vertically, causing temperature deviations and differential pressures between rows of battery modules.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design where two battery module groups are arranged in a width direction with a coolant discharge part between them, featuring independently formed coolant inlet ports at opposite positions to reduce flow length and speed, allowing for uniform coolant distribution and efficient cooling without the need for upper and lower coolant discharge parts, thus maintaining a compact structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If battery modules are arranged in vertical stacking with vertical coolant flow channels, then the battery pack structure is compact, but temperature deviations and differential pressures occur between rows of battery modules
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into two separate battery module groups arranged side-by-side in the width direction, with each group having its own independent coolant inlet port. This segmentation allows each group to be cooled independently, eliminating temperature deviations between rows while maintaining compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The arrangement of battery modules changes from vertical stacking to side-by-side arrangement in the width direction. This dimensional change allows coolant to flow horizontally through each module group, reducing vertical temperature gradients and differential pressures while preserving structural compactness.
2Productivity
If coolant inlet ports are formed at opposite positions to reduce flow length, then cooling efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant inlet system is segmented into two independent inlet ports, one for each battery module group. This segmentation simplifies the flow path for each group, reducing coolant flow length and improving cooling efficiency without requiring complex distribution systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Each battery module group serves itself with its own dedicated coolant inlet port, eliminating the need for complex inter-group coolant distribution. This self-service approach improves cooling efficiency while actually reducing overall system complexity by removing the need for complex flow management.
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 enhances cooling efficiency by reducing temperature deviations and differential pressures, prolonging battery module lifespan and performance while maintaining a compact and cost-effective battery pack configuration.
Implementation Method 1
coolant introduced through the respective coolant inlet ports cools the unit cells of the respective battery modules while passing through the respective battery modules
Implementation Method 2
coolant introduced through the respective coolant inlet ports cools the unit cells of the respective battery modules while passing through the respective battery modules and is then discharged out of the pack case
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules, each having a battery cell or a unit module (unit cell) that can be charged and discharged, mounted in a pack case, wherein two or more unit cells constitute one battery module, two or more battery modules are arranged in a length direction of the battery pack to constitute one battery module group, two battery module groups are arranged in a width direction of the battery pack in a state in which the battery module groups are spaced apart from each other such that a coolant discharge part is defined between the battery module groups, a coolant inlet port is independently formed at a region of the pack case corresponding to each of the battery modules located at a position opposite to the coolant discharge part, and a coolant outlet port is formed at a front or a rear of the pack case in the length direction of the battery pack such that coolant introduced through the respective coolant inlet ports cools the unit cells of the respective battery modules while passing through the respective battery modules and is then discharged out of the pack case.