Thermal Insulating Joints for Battery Pack Heat Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traction battery packs in electrified vehicles experience heat transfer issues at structural connections, leading to undesired temperature variations and reduced battery performance and life due to ambient conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of thermal insulating joints with dual thermal insulation components on opposite sides of battery internal structures, such as heat exchanger plates or cross members, to block heat transfer paths and maintain consistent temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If structural connections are made between outer enclosure structures and battery internal components, then mechanical strength and structural stability are improved, but heat transfer paths are created leading to temperature variations and reduced battery performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thermal insulation components as intermediary elements between the outer enclosure structure and battery internal components. These intermediaries block heat transfer paths while allowing mechanical connections to be maintained, thus resolving the contradiction between structural strength and temperature uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures that combine thermally conductive materials for structural strength with thermally insulating materials for temperature control. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of mechanical strength and temperature uniformity by integrating materials with different thermal properties in a single structural system.
2Temperature
If thermal insulation components are added to block heat transfer paths, then temperature uniformity and battery performance are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges thermal insulation functions with existing structural fastener components. By integrating insulation materials into fastener assemblies rather than adding separate insulation components, the design achieves temperature control while minimizing increases in device complexity and maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs fastener assemblies that simultaneously perform multiple functions: mechanical fastening and thermal insulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated insulation components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved temperature uniformity.
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 thermal insulating joints effectively reduce heat transfer, enhancing battery cell performance and longevity by maintaining optimal temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first thermal insulation component and a second thermal insulation component... configured to block heat transfer paths
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary traction battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles may include a thermal insulating joint configured to isolate a heat transfer path at one or more structural connections between an enclosure tray and a battery internal structure (e.g., heat exchanger plate, cross member, etc.) of the traction battery pack. The thermal insulating joint may include a first thermal insulation component and a second thermal insulation component disposed on opposite sides of the battery internal structure. The thermal insulation components cooperate to block the heat transfer path across the structural connection, thereby insulating the battery internals from an ambient surrounding of the traction battery pack.