Battery Stack Binding Structure for Turbulent Cooling Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery cooling methods are inefficient due to the low surface area ratio of ventilation paths in spacers, which limits the design of wider ventilation areas necessary for effective cooling, as spacers also serve to apply bounding force to batteries.

Innovation Solution

A battery manufacturing apparatus and method that uses a binding member to arrange batteries in a stack with a fluid supplying part that blows cooling fluid from both sides, allowing the fluid to flow outward through apertures in the binding member, creating turbulent streams for efficient cooling without obstructing side surfaces, thereby enhancing heat release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If spacers are used to apply bounding force to batteries, then the binding strength is improved, but the contact surface area between spacers and batteries increases, reducing the ventilation path area and cooling efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding strengthVSAvoidventilation path area

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The binding member is divided into multiple second both-side parts, each with its own aperture. This segmentation allows the binding function to be distributed while maintaining adequate ventilation paths through each aperture, resolving the contradiction between binding strength and cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The binding member features localized apertures in the second both-side parts that provide targeted ventilation channels. This local quality modification allows specific areas to serve dual purposes: maintaining binding strength while enabling efficient cooling fluid flow through the apertures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If wider ventilation paths are designed in spacers, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the contact surface area with batteries decreases, reducing binding strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation path areaVSAvoidbinding strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The binding member is segmented into multiple second both-side parts with individual apertures. This segmentation allows adequate ventilation area through multiple smaller apertures while maintaining binding strength through distributed contact points, avoiding the need to reduce overall contact surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The apertures in the second both-side parts create three-dimensional ventilation channels that allow cooling fluid to flow through the binding member structure. This dimensional approach provides adequate ventilation area without compromising the two-dimensional contact surface area needed for binding strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If cooling fluid is blown directly on battery stack, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the side surfaces of batteries are obstructed, reducing heat release effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidexposed side surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The second both-side parts with apertures serve as an intermediary structure that channels cooling fluid toward the battery side surfaces without direct obstruction. The apertures guide the fluid flow to reach the batteries effectively while maintaining clear access to the side surfaces for heat release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration significantly improves cooling efficiency, reducing cooling time and enhancing the overall manufacturing process by ensuring effective heat dissipation without compromising the binding force on the batteries.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid supplying part configured to blow cooling fluid on the battery stack bound by the binding member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

allowing the fluid to flow outward through apertures in the binding member, creating turbulent streams for efficient cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 3

the streams of cooling fluid blown from each side in the third direction will enter the clearances between both side surfaces of each battery and the corresponding second both-side parts and collide and merge together thereat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11784361B2Battery manufacturing apparatus and battery manufacturing method

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A battery manufacturing method includes assembling a plurality of flat batteries; and binding a battery stack including the plurality of assembled batteries arranged in one direction by a binding member and blowing cooling fluid on the battery stack through a fluid supplying part to cool the battery stack. The method includes causing cooling fluid discharged from a fluid supplying part through a first discharging part and cooling fluid discharged from the fluid supplying part through a second discharging part to collide and merge together, and then flow outward in the second direction through the apertures.