Battery Pack Sidewall Coolant Path for Low-Height Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs with integrated cooling plates have a large overall height due to the thickness of the coolant path, which affects energy density and mountability.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design with a coolant path in the side portion of the case body, utilizing a heat conduction member to efficiently transfer heat from the battery cells to the coolant path, and incorporating protrusions to prevent clearance formation and improve alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the coolant path is provided in the first bottom portion, then the cooling function is achieved, but the overall height of the battery pack becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant path is relocated from the first bottom portion (vertical dimension) to the first side portion (horizontal dimension). This dimensional transition allows the cooling function to be maintained while significantly reducing the overall height of the battery pack, as the coolant path now extends in the width direction rather than contributing to height.
Solution Approach 2:
The case body is divided into distinct functional portions: the first bottom portion for battery cell placement and the first side portion for coolant flow. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the bottom portion can be thin for compactness while the side portion houses the cooling function.
2Temperature
If the heat conduction member is used to transfer heat to the side portion, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat conduction member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a thermal conductor to transfer heat from battery cells to the side portion, serves as an adhesive to join battery cells to the case body, and fills clearance gaps to ensure thermal contact. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat conduction member combines the functions of thermal conduction, mechanical adhesion, and clearance filling into a single component. This merging eliminates the need for separate adhesive layers and thermal paste, simplifying the overall device structure while achieving effective heat transfer.
3Manufacturing precision
If protrusions are added to prevent clearance formation, then alignment precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Protrusions are pre-formed on the case body at predetermined positions before battery cell assembly. These protrusions automatically guide and position the battery cells during assembly, ensuring precise alignment without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or post-assembly adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions act as mechanical intermediaries between the case body and battery cells, providing physical contact points that define the correct position and orientation of the battery cells. This intermediary structure simplifies alignment by converting a complex positioning problem into simple geometric constraints.
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 a smaller overall height, improved cooling efficiency, and maintains energy density while ensuring precise alignment and reduced component count.
Implementation Method 1
a heat conduction member interposed between each of the battery cells and the case body
Implementation Method 2
A coolant path through which coolant flows is provided inside the first side portion
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack includes: a plurality of stacked battery cells; and a case body that has a first bottom portion and a first side portion and that accommodates the plurality of battery cells, the first bottom portion being a portion on which the plurality of battery cells are placed, the first side portion rising from the first bottom portion. A coolant path through which coolant flows is provided inside the first side portion.