Battery Pack Terminal Cooling Through Conductive Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery technologies struggle with limited heat dissipation, primarily focusing on dissipating heat from cells without effectively managing heat generated by electrode terminals.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design incorporating a thermally conductive member connected to electrode terminals through a support opening, with a heat sink on the opposite side, enhancing heat dissipation by conducting heat from the electrode terminals to the heat sink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat dissipation members are increased between cells, then heat dissipation of cells is improved, but heat dissipation of electrode terminals remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat dissipation function into two independent pathways: one for cells (through heat dissipation members between cells) and one for electrode terminals (through the thermally conductive member connected to electrode terminals). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific heat source without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction where improving cell heat dissipation did not automatically improve terminal heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a thermally conductive member as an intermediary component between the electrode terminals and the heat sink. This intermediary efficiently transfers heat from the electrode terminals (which generate significant heat during current collection) to the heat sink, thereby improving terminal heat dissipation without affecting the cell-to-cell heat dissipation pathway.
2Loss of energy
If traditional heat dissipation methods are used, then cell heat is managed, but electrode terminal heat accumulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat dissipation function for electrode terminals from the general cell heat dissipation system. By providing a dedicated thermally conductive member connected specifically to electrode terminals and leading to a heat sink, the patent separates terminal heat management from cell heat management, allowing each to be optimized independently and preventing terminal heat accumulation.
3Temperature
If heat sink is added to support structure, then terminal heat dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat sink with the support structure, integrating the thermal management function into an existing structural component. The support structure serves dual purposes: mechanical support for the battery cells and thermal management through the integrated heat sink and thermally conductive member, thereby improving terminal heat dissipation without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a mechanical support framework and as a thermal management system. By incorporating the heat sink and thermally conductive member into the support structure, the patent enables a single component to perform multiple functions, reducing overall device complexity while improving electrode terminal heat dissipation.
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
Improves heat dissipation efficiency by effectively dissipating heat from electrode terminals, reducing the risk of overheating and enhancing thermal management within the battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
The thermally conductive member is connected to at least some of electrode terminals. The heat of the electrode terminal is dissipated through the thermally conductive member
Implementation Method 2
The thermally conductive member includes a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite to each other in the first direction. The first surface is connected to the electrode terminal of at least some of the plurality of cells through the first opening. The second surface is connected to the heat sink. The heat of the electrode terminal is conducted through the first surface to the second surface and through the second surface to the heat sink
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery pack (100) includes a housing assembly (10), a cell assembly (20), a first circuit board (30), a support (40), and a thermally conductive member (50). The cell assembly (20) is accommodated in the housing assembly (10). The cell assembly (20) includes a plurality of cells (21). Each cell (21) includes a cell housing (211), an electrode assembly (212) disposed in the cell housing (211), and an electrode terminal (213) connected to the electrode assembly (212) and extending out of the cell housing (211). The electrode terminal (213) runs through the first circuit board (30) and is connected to a side of the first circuit board (30) facing away from the cell housing (211). The support (40) is connected to the first circuit board (30), where the first circuit board (30) is disposed between the cell housing (211) and the support (40). The support (40) is provided with a first opening (40a), and the thermally conductive member (50) is disposed in the first opening (40a). The thermally conductive member (50) is connected to at least some of electrode terminals (213).