Battery Pack Flow Channel Natural Convection Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face challenges in reducing temperature differences between single cells, leading to decreased battery characteristics, and require additional cooling systems that increase costs and reduce capacity density.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a battery pack design with flow channels on side surfaces that utilize natural convection to equalize temperatures between single cells, eliminating the need for cooling fans and enhancing capacity per volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If forced convection cooling is used with fans and ducts, then temperature difference between single cells is reduced, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack housing itself serves as the cooling structure through integrated flow channels that enable natural convection. The housing design with protrusions and recesses creates air flow paths that allow the system to cool itself without external fans or ducts, eliminating the need for separate cooling devices while maintaining temperature uniformity across cells
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical forced convection system (fans, ducts, ribs) with a passive natural convection system. By designing flow channels in the housing that utilize buoyancy-driven air flow, the mechanical cooling components are eliminated while achieving the same temperature equalization effect across battery cells
2Temperature
If forced convection cooling with fans is implemented, then temperature difference between single cells is reduced, but capacity density decreases due to increased volume
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged with the structural housing of the battery pack. The flow channels are integrated into the housing walls through protrusions and recesses, combining the protective housing structure with the thermal management function. This eliminates the need for separate cooling components and maximizes the volume available for battery cells, thereby increasing capacity density while maintaining effective temperature control
3Temperature
If cooling fans and ducts are added to reduce temperature difference, then temperature uniformity improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure performs dual functions as both protective enclosure and thermal management system. By integrating flow channels directly into the housing design using protrusions and recesses, the patent eliminates the need for separate cooling components like fans and ducts, thereby reducing part count, assembly complexity, and manufacturing costs while achieving uniform temperature distribution across all battery cells
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 approach effectively reduces temperature differences between single cells, maintains battery performance, and increases capacity per volume without the need for cooling devices, thereby reducing costs and enhancing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a flow channel capable of generating natural convection is provided on a side surface
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack that reduces a temperature difference between single cells and can increase a battery capacity per volume and a container provided with the same are provided. A battery pack 100, includes: a battery module 10 including a plurality of single cells 1 arranged in parallel in a line; and a partition member 20 provided on a side surface of the battery module 10 and forming a flow channel 21 through which a gas for exchanging heat with the plurality of single cells 1 is flowable, and the partition member 20 is provided so that the gas flowing through the flow channel 21 and at least two single cells 1 exchange heat and is inclined with respect to a direction orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the plurality of single cells 1 arranged in parallel in a line.