Prismatic Battery Module Partition Walls for Uniform Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery module cooling structures are inefficient and costly, necessitating a solution that enhances cooling while reducing manufacturing expenses.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring prismatic battery cells arranged side by side, with a partition wall system comprising alternating first and second partition walls. The second partition walls have a distinct shape, creating a cooling space that allows for efficient airflow and heat dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional cooling structure with partition walls is used, then electrical insulation between battery cells is secured, but cooling efficiency is insufficient and manufacturing cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall is designed to serve dual functions: electrical insulation between battery cells and heat dissipation through integrated cooling channels. By combining these functions into a single component, the need for separate cooling structures is eliminated, reducing manufacturing cost and assembly complexity while maintaining insulation reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling channels are merged directly into the partition wall structure rather than being separate components. This integration allows the partition wall to simultaneously provide electrical insulation and thermal management, simplifying the overall battery module structure and reducing manufacturing expenses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a conventional cooling structure with partition walls is used, then electrical insulation between battery cells is secured, but cooling efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall features locally optimized cooling channels positioned to maximize heat dissipation efficiency. The channel geometry and distribution are tailored to specific thermal zones, ensuring effective cooling where heat generation is highest while maintaining electrical insulation properties in other areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Cooling channels are integrated into the partition wall to enable efficient coolant flow through the battery module. The hydraulic design of these channels optimizes coolant distribution and heat transfer, significantly improving cooling efficiency compared to conventional external cooling structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Temperature

If uniform cooling of all battery cells is achieved, then temperature distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature distributionVSAvoidpartition wall structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall is segmented into multiple sections with different cooling channel configurations. First partition walls have one type of cooling channel arrangement while second partition walls have another, allowing optimized cooling for different battery cell positions without requiring a completely complex custom design for the entire structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different partition wall structures are used at different locations to achieve uniform cooling. First partition walls and second partition walls have asymmetric designs tailored to their specific positions in the battery module, enabling balanced temperature distribution across all cells while managing structural complexity through purposeful differentiation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Temperature

If alternating first and second partition walls are used with different shapes, then cooling efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidpartition wall shape accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall system is segmented into standardized first and second partition wall modules with repeating patterns. This segmentation allows for precise manufacturing of individual standardized units that can be assembled systematically, reducing the cumulative precision errors that would occur with custom non-repeating designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 achieves efficient and uniform cooling of battery cells while reducing manufacturing costs and module size, with improved structural stability and simplified assembly processes.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling space between the second partition wall portion and each of two battery cells located on both sides beside the second partition wall portion in the first direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4184661B1Battery module
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4184661B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4184661B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4184661B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery module (1) includes: a plurality of battery cells (100) arranged side by side in a first direction, each of the plurality of battery cells (100) having a prismatic shape; and a partition wall portion (260, 270) provided between the plurality of battery cells (100) to secure electrical insulation between the plurality of battery cells (100). The partition wall portion (260, 270) includes a first partition wall portion (260) and a second partition wall portion (270), the first partition wall portion (260) and the second partition wall portion (270) being provided alternately, the second partition wall portion (270) having a shape different from a shape of the first partition wall portion (260), the second partition wall portion (270) forming a cooling space (280) between the second partition wall portion (270) and each of two battery cells (100) located on both sides beside the second partition wall portion (270) in the first direction.