Battery Submodule Cooling Fin Design for Uniform Thermal Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules with odd numbers of cells face challenges in uniform cooling, leading to increased production costs and complexity, as well as reduced energy density due to the need for multiple cooling members and complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A submodule design where cells are grouped into single and double cells, with specific cooling fins and thermal pads for each, allowing for uniform cooling of all cells using a minimal number of components, and enabling parallel connection of cells for simplified assembly and reduced costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple cooling members are used to cool each cell uniformly, then cooling uniformity is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cooling functions into a single integrated cooling member that serves both the first cell and the second cell. This cooling member includes a first cooling portion that contacts the first cell and a second cooling portion that contacts the second cell, eliminating the need for separate cooling members for each cell while maintaining uniform cooling across all cells.
2Temperature
If multiple cooling members are used to cool each cell uniformly, then cooling uniformity is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cooling functions into a single integrated cooling member that serves both the first cell and the second cell. This cooling member includes a first cooling portion that contacts the first cell and a second cooling portion that contacts the second cell, eliminating the need for separate cooling members for each cell while maintaining uniform cooling across all cells.
3Quantity of substance
If energy density is increased by reducing cooling members, then energy density is improved, but cooling uniformity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling member is designed with different cooling portions that are specifically adapted to contact different cells. The first cooling portion is configured to contact the first cell while the second cooling portion is configured to contact the second cell, ensuring that each cell receives appropriate cooling contact despite the reduced number of cooling members.
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 ensures uniform cooling of all cells, improves energy density, simplifies the assembly process, and reduces production costs by using standardized components, while maintaining durability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling fin including a single cell heat transfer part being provided at a direction of the exposed surface of the single cell and being in surface contact with the exposed surface of the single cell
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a submodule and a battery module having the same, the submodule being comprising a three or more odd numbers of cells, and including: a cell unit divided into one single cell and at least one double cell; a first cooling fin provided at a side of the single cell and bent in a thickness direction of the single cell; and a second cooling fin provided between two cells composing the double cell and bent in thickness directions of the two cells. The single cell is cooled by the first cooling fin in surface contact with an exposed surface of the single cell, and the double cell is cooled by the second cooling fin in surface contact with stacked surfaces of the two cells, whereby all cells can be equally cooled, and energy density of the submodule can be increased by using a minimum number of members.