Battery Pack Shield Member Cooling Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery packs face challenges in effectively cooling battery cells due to the separation of the junction box and battery cell, which hinders efficient air flow and cooling.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design that incorporates a junction box within the battery pack case, utilizing a shield member to prevent air from entering the junction box accommodating portion while ensuring focused air supply to the battery cells, with air-suction and air-exhaust portions strategically positioned to enhance cooling efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the junction box and battery cell are completely separated, then the junction box can be independently accommodated, but the air flow to the battery cell is disrupted and cooling efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent accommodation of junction boxVSAvoidbattery cell cooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the junction box and battery cell into a single integrated housing structure, eliminating the need for separate accommodation while ensuring proper air flow paths for cooling the battery cell. The junction box is positioned within the same housing as the battery cell, allowing the air intake to directly reach the battery cell without being blocked by a separate junction box enclosure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If air is allowed to flow freely in the battery pack, then the battery cell can be cooled, but air may enter the junction box accommodating portion causing instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery cell coolingVSAvoidair supply stability to battery
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specific air flow path configuration where the air intake is positioned to directly face the battery cell while the junction box is positioned to be excluded from the air flow path. This localized arrangement ensures that air flows only to the battery cell for cooling while preventing air from entering the junction box accommodating portion, thus maintaining both cooling efficiency and air supply stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the junction box is positioned to block air flow, then air supply to battery is stabilized, but cooling efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair supply stabilityVSAvoidbattery cell cooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by utilizing spatial dimensionality - the air intake is positioned in a specific location and oriented at a specific angle (e.g., extending from the side wall at an incline) to create a three-dimensional air flow path that bypasses the junction box. This dimensional positioning allows air to reach the battery cell efficiently without being blocked by the junction box, simultaneously achieving both stable air supply and high cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 effectively stabilizes air supply to the battery cells, preventing air from entering the junction box and ensuring sufficient airflow for cooling, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the battery cells while maintaining insulation and operability.

Implementation Method 1

the junction box accommodating portion is covered with a shield member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier (shield member):

Implementation Method 2

an amount of air which flows along a surface of the battery can sufficiently be secured

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2575195B1Battery pack
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 GS YUASA INT LTD
  • EP2575195B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2575195B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2575195B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Even if a junction box is laid out such that a region where a battery cell is disposed is divided, the battery cell is effectively cooled. A battery pack includes: a battery pack case including a junction box accommodating portion and a battery accommodating portion; and a plurality of batteries accommodated in the battery accommodating portion of the battery pack case. The junction box accommodating portion is covered with a shield member.