Battery System Potting Compound Thermal Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery systems face challenges with low thermal conductivity and abrasion resistance due to the use of plastics, which can lead to reduced service life, performance, and safety, especially in applications like electric vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a casting compound to position and secure battery cells within a housing, providing improved heat dissipation, mechanical protection, and electrical insulation, while also compensating for manufacturing tolerances and simplifying the installation process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If plastic films or paints are used for battery cell packaging, then ease of manufacture is improved, but thermal conductivity deteriorates (0.2-0.4 W/(m K))

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidthermal conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining plastic packaging with thermally conductive fillers (metal particles, ceramic particles, or carbon particles) to create a composite material that maintains the ease of manufacture and flexibility of plastic while significantly improving thermal conductivity. The fillers are distributed within the plastic matrix to create pathways for heat transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the packaging material by incorporating conductive fillers with specific properties (thermal conductivity, particle size, shape, and concentration) to transform the thermal characteristics of the original plastic material. This allows tuning of thermal conductivity while maintaining other desirable properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If plastic films or paints are used for battery cell packaging, then ease of manufacture is improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidabrasion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials where hard particles (metal, ceramic, or carbon) are embedded in the plastic matrix to create a composite structure that combines the flexibility and ease of manufacture of plastic with the high abrasion resistance of the particulate reinforcement. The particles act as wear-resistant elements on the surface and within the material structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If battery cells are positioned using mounting grids or positioning ribs, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the positioning function with the packaging structure by integrating positioning ribs and mounting features directly into the plastic housing or casting mold. This eliminates the need for separate mounting grids or complex positioning mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining positioning precision through the molded-in structural features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plastic housing or casting mold serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides packaging protection, thermal management pathways, and precise positioning of battery cells. The positioning ribs and mounting features are integrated into this universal structure, eliminating the need for separate dedicated positioning components.

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

4Temperature

If casting compound is used to encapsulate battery cells, then thermal conductivity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the rheological and curing parameters of the casting compound (viscosity, curing temperature, curing time, hardening characteristics) to enable self-leveling and automatic compensation of manufacturing tolerances. The compound is formulated to flow into gaps and irregularities before curing, then harden to provide a uniform encapsulation that masks underlying dimensional variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method enhances the service life, performance, and safety of battery systems by improving thermal management, mechanical protection, and electrical insulation, while reducing costs and process complexity.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one casting compound can advantageously achieve improved heat dissipation or heat dissipation and, for example, also improved temperature control

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The at least one casting compound can advantageously achieve improved heat dissipation or heat dissipation and, for example, also improved temperature control as well as improved electrical insulation and improved electrical dielectric strength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP3360196B1Battery system with potting compound
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3360196B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3360196B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP3360196B1 patent drawingFigure 8~11

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a battery system. In order to manufacture in a simple and cost-effective way a battery system with an improved service life, efficiency and safety, in the method battery cells (1) are positioned by means of at least one mounting grill (10, 20) for positioning battery cells (1) and/or by means of positioning fins and/or positioning projections in the interior of a battery system housing or a potting mould (60), which are configured for positioning battery cells, and/or are positioned by means of a mounting gripper for positioning battery cells and are potted at least partially with at least one potting compound (40). Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding battery system and to a suitable reaction resin system or a suitable potting compound.