Battery Pack Heater with Conductive Holder and Elastic Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs with cylindrical batteries face issues of decreased output and rechargeable capacity at low temperatures, with conventional heating solutions either increasing component costs, enlarging the pack size, or reducing heating efficiency due to heat loss.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring heat conductive battery holders and a mounted heater within a space between holders, closed by an elastic member to enhance heat transfer and retention, preventing unnecessary space and cost increases while improving heating efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a sheet-like heater is mounted between the inner surface of the battery storage space and the outer surface of the cylindrical battery, then heating effectiveness is improved, but component cost significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat-conductive plate as an intermediary between the heater and the battery. The heater is mounted on the outer surface of the battery holder, and the heat-conductive plate transfers heat from the heater to the battery, eliminating the need for expensive sheet-like heaters while maintaining heating effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a heat-conductive plate that replicates the heat transfer function of the expensive sheet-like heater. The plate serves as a simplified, cost-effective alternative that performs the same thermal coupling function without requiring direct contact between the heater and battery
2Device complexity
If a separating part is provided to mount the heater on the outer surface, then component cost is prevented from increasing, but the case size is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separating part function into the existing battery holder structure. The heater is mounted on the outer surface of the battery holder itself, which already serves as a structural component, eliminating the need for an additional separating part and avoiding case enlargement
3Device complexity
If heat is transferred from the heater to the battery via air, then component cost is prevented from increasing, but heating time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat-conductive plate as an intermediary that provides direct thermal contact between the heater and battery. This replaces air-based heat transfer with solid-to-solid conduction, significantly reducing heating time while maintaining cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the air-based heat transfer mechanism with direct solid-to-solid thermal contact through the heat-conductive plate. This substitution of the heat transfer medium (from gas to solid) dramatically improves thermal conductivity and reduces heating time
4Volume of stationary object
If the heater is secured on the metallic battery holder with one surface exposed, then case size is prevented from enlarging, but heating efficiency deteriorates due to heat loss
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-conductive plate acts as an intermediary that directs and concentrates heat transfer to the battery. By providing a dedicated thermal pathway, it prevents heat dispersion to the surrounding environment while maintaining the compact case design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating thermal energy at the specific location where it is needed (the battery surface). The heat-conductive plate focuses heat transfer to the contact area between the battery and holder, preventing heat loss to exposed surfaces
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 efficiently heats cylindrical batteries by ensuring direct heat transfer and minimizing heat loss, thus maintaining performance at low temperatures without increasing the battery pack's size or cost.
Implementation Method 1
a battery holder made of heat conductive material, for holding the plurality of cylindrical batteries and forming a space between itself and an adjacent member
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member for urging the heater onto the battery holder, and closing an opening of the space to thereby form a first space closed from the outside
Data Source
AI summary
In a battery pack having one or more battery modules, each battery module includes a plurality of cylindrical batteries, and a battery holder for holding the plurality of cylindrical batteries and forming a space between itself and an adjacent member, the space being at least partially open to the outside and the battery pack further includes a heater mounted in the space, for heating the plurality of cylindrical batteries via the battery holder, and an elastic member for urging the heater onto the battery holder, and closing an opening of the space to thereby form a first space closed from the outside.