Battery Pack Vertical Cooling Structure for Vehicle Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery packs face challenges in installation, especially in lower vehicle spaces, and lack effective cooling structures to uniformly maintain internal temperatures, which can lead to cell deterioration and safety issues due to heat accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design with a plate-shaped structure where battery cells are stacked in a Z direction with spacing for coolant flow and arranged in an X direction to facilitate vertical coolant passage through the pack, enhancing cooling efficiency and allowing for easier installation in lower vehicle spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If battery cells are stacked in one direction or lateral direction, then the battery pack can be installed in conventional spaces, but it is difficult to install in lower vehicle spaces and the cooling efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional horizontal stacking of battery cells to vertical stacking arrangement. The battery cells are stacked in the vertical direction (Z-axis) with coolant flow channels extending vertically through the pack, enabling the battery pack to be installed in lower vehicle spaces while achieving effective cooling through the vertical coolant passage
2Quantity of substance
If battery cells are stacked closely to increase energy density, then the battery pack size is reduced, but heat accumulation occurs leading to cell deterioration and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces coolant flow channels as an intermediary substance between the battery cells. The coolant flows vertically through channels that pass between the stacked battery cells, actively removing heat and preventing heat accumulation while maintaining high energy density through close cell stacking
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic cooling system where coolant is circulated through vertical flow channels between battery cells. The coolant inlet and outlet ports are positioned to enable continuous fluid flow through the battery module, effectively transporting heat away from the cells
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional cooling structures are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but uniform temperature distribution cannot be maintained leading to cell deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements localized cooling by positioning coolant flow channels specifically between the stacked battery cells. The cooling structure is integrated into the local geometry of the cell stack, with coolant channels formed in the spacing between cells, providing targeted cooling where heat generation occurs most intensely
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 improves installation convenience, increases vehicle interior space, and effectively removes heat generated during charge and discharge, enhancing the performance and lifespan of battery cells while ensuring safety by uniform temperature distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant flow channel defined between the coolant introduction part and the coolant discharge part is configured to have a structure in which the coolant, introduced through the coolant introduction part, cools the battery modules while passing through the specific battery modules in a vertical direction
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells or unit modules (‘unit cells’), which can be charged and discharged, mounted in a pack case, wherein the unit cells are stacked in a direction (a Z direction) in which the unit cells are sequentially stacked in parallel to a ground in a state in which a spacing distance for coolant flow is provided between the respective unit cells to constitute a battery module, two or more battery modules are arranged in a horizontal direction (an X direction) on the plane with respect to a coolant introduction direction in which a coolant is introduced through a coolant inlet port in a state in which flow of the coolant between the battery modules is restrained to constitute a battery module group.