Lithium-Ion Battery PCM Fin Structure for Thermal Runaway Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithium-ion battery thermal management systems fail to effectively manage heat at varying ambient temperatures and different charging/discharging rates, leading to potential thermal runaway and safety issues due to limitations in heat transfer efficiency and thermal conductivity.
Innovation Solution
A lithium-ion battery thermal management system utilizing phase change materials (PCMs) and mutually embedded fins, where the fins on adjacent cells can move to form heat exchange or thermal preservation channels, combined with air cooling and heating units to enhance heat dissipation and retention, ensuring optimal temperature control across different operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If air-based thermal management system is used, then the structure is simple and maintenance cost is low, but the heat transfer efficiency is not high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines air-based thermal management with phase change materials (PCM) to create a hybrid system. The PCM absorbs heat during phase transition, significantly enhancing heat transfer efficiency while maintaining the simple structure and low maintenance cost characteristics of air-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of PCM materials that change from solid to liquid and back, absorbing and releasing heat during these transitions. This phase change mechanism dramatically improves heat transfer efficiency without requiring complex system structures or high maintenance costs.
2Loss of energy
If liquid-based thermal management system is used, then the heat transfer performance is improved, but the design becomes complicated and maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines liquid coolant with phase change materials to create a composite thermal management system. The PCM enhances heat transfer performance by absorbing latent heat during phase transition, while the liquid coolant provides continuous heat removal, achieving high performance without requiring overly complex system design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates PCM that undergoes phase transitions to supplement liquid-based cooling. The phase change process absorbs large amounts of heat, enhancing overall heat transfer performance while working synergistically with the liquid coolant system, thereby improving efficiency without proportionally increasing design complexity.
3Device complexity
If PCM-based thermal management is used, then the system design is simple and cost is low, but the thermal management capability is limited by available space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds PCM containers within the battery pack structure, nesting the phase change material inside available spaces. This nesting approach maximizes the amount of PCM that can be accommodated within the limited space of the battery pack, thereby enhancing thermal management capability without significantly increasing system complexity or cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional space optimization by placing PCM in vertical and horizontal configurations within the battery pack. This dimensional optimization allows maximum PCM quantity to be fitted into the available space, overcoming the space limitation while maintaining simple system design and low cost characteristics.
4Temperature
If PCM is used, then heat dissipation is effective at moderate temperatures, but when ambient temperature exceeds PCM melting point, the heat dissipation capacity cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines PCM with liquid coolant systems to create a composite thermal management system. The PCM provides effective heat dissipation at moderate temperatures through phase transition, while the liquid coolant takes over when ambient temperatures exceed the PCM melting point, ensuring continuous effective heat dissipation across a wide temperature range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition parameter change of PCM at specific temperatures to provide enhanced heat dissipation at moderate temperatures. When ambient temperature exceeds the melting point, the system transitions to liquid coolant-based heat dissipation, adapting to different temperature conditions and maintaining effective thermal management across varying temperature ranges.
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 system provides effective heat dissipation at high temperatures and thermal protection at low temperatures, maintaining ideal working conditions for lithium-ion batteries by leveraging the phase change properties of PCMs and high thermal conductivity of fins, while minimizing temperature gradients and preventing safety hazards.
Implementation Method 1
the thermal management working principle is just to take advantage of the latent heat from the PCM solid-liquid phase change
Implementation Method 2
a large amount of heat generated by the battery is absorbed and stored in the form of latent heat
Implementation Method 3
high thermal conductivity of fins
Implementation Method 4
air cooling and heating units to enhance heat dissipation and retention
Implementation Method 5
air cooling and heating units to enhance heat dissipation and retention
Data Source
AI summary
A lithium-ion battery thermal management system and method based on PCM and mutually embedded fins. The thermal management system includes a battery box, a lithium-ion battery pack and a temperature detection unit are arranged in the battery box; the lithium-ion battery pack at least includes two cells, the periphery of each cell is wrapped by a battery inner shell and a battery outer shell, and PCM is filled between the battery inner shell and the battery outer shell; a plurality of fins are arranged on the battery outer shell on the opposite sides of the two adjacent cells, the fins are arranged at intervals, the fins on the opposite sides of the two adjacent cells are arranged in a staggered manner, and heat-conducting plates are connected between each fin and the battery inner shell.