Battery Pack Holder Plate Layout for Cooling Flow and Impact Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face challenges in efficiently managing thermal management and structural integrity, particularly in high-power applications such as electric vehicles, where multiple battery cells are required, leading to issues with heat dissipation and potential damage from external impacts.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design incorporating a case with a serpentine shape and reinforcing ribs for enhanced heat dissipation, along with a cooling fluid system using liquid or gaseous media, and holder plates that maintain electrical insulation and structural support for the cells, ensuring efficient cooling and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the battery pack uses a conventional structure with battery cells tightly fitted in the case, then the space utilization is high, but the cooling efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient cooling fluid circulation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension for cooling fluid circulation by positioning the hollow member (reservoir) at the bottom of the case and having cooling holes extend vertically through the holder plates. This vertical arrangement allows cooling fluid to flow upward through the battery cell gaps, improving cooling efficiency without sacrificing horizontal space utilization.
2Temperature
If the battery pack increases the number of cooling holes in the holder plates, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the structural strength deteriorates due to reduced material in the holder plates
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow member (reservoir) is nested within the case structure, and the cooling holes in the holder plates are positioned to align with this nested reservoir. This nested arrangement allows the holder plates to have multiple cooling holes while maintaining structural integrity, as the hollow member provides additional structural support and the cooling holes are strategically positioned to minimize weakening.
3Temperature
If the battery pack uses a structure with large gaps between battery cells for cooling fluid flow, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using cooling fluid flowing through the hollow member and cooling holes to transfer heat from battery cells. The cooling fluid is pumped through the holder plates and battery cell gaps, creating an efficient heat removal system that maintains tight battery cell spacing while achieving effective cooling through controlled fluid flow paths.
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 design achieves improved thermal management and structural integrity, enhancing the safety and performance of high-capacity battery packs by maintaining efficient heat dissipation and protecting against external impacts while ensuring electrical insulation.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling fluid; and first and second holder plates coupled to the case to face each other along the case such that the end portions of the battery cells are insertable therethrough
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A battery pack includes: battery cells, each including end portions in a height direction; a case accommodating the battery cells and a cooling fluid; and first and second holder plates coupled to the case to face each other along the case such that the end portions of the battery cells are insertable therethrough, an accommodation space being defined between the first and second holder plates, and heights of the case, the battery cells, and the first and second holder plates in the height direction satisfy the following condition: a height between the first and second holder plates < a height of the battery cells < a height of the case, and the case includes a hollow member which is open in the height direction.