Cylindrical Battery Module Support Columns for Cooling and Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules with cylindrical battery cells face issues of heat accumulation and low retaining structure strength.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring support columns with cavities and communication holes on their lateral surfaces, filled with adhesive agents, allows for efficient heat transfer and improved bonding strength between the cells and columns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If battery cells are stored individually in concave battery containing sections provided in a half body of the casing, then the battery cells are securely retained, but heat generated by the battery cells accumulates inside and cooling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple support columns instead of using a continuous casing. Each support column is a separate component that can be independently designed for both mechanical support and thermal management functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support columns serve dual functions: providing mechanical support/retention for battery cells and acting as thermal conduction paths for heat dissipation. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between retaining structure strength and cooling performance.
2Strength
If support columns are used to retain battery cells, then retaining structure strength is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates without proper thermal management design
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal conduction members are introduced as intermediary elements between the battery cells and support columns. These members facilitate efficient heat transfer from the battery cells to the support columns, enabling the support columns to function as heat dissipation pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal conduction parameters are optimized by selecting materials with high thermal conductivity for both the support columns and thermal conduction members. This parameter change enhances heat dissipation capability while maintaining the mechanical support function.
3Strength
If adhesive agent is used to bond support columns to battery cells, then bonding strength is achieved, but heat transfer efficiency deteriorates if the adhesive layer is too thick
Solution Approach 1:
The thickness parameter of the adhesive agent layer is precisely controlled and minimized. By changing this dimensional parameter, the adhesive layer maintains sufficient bonding strength while reducing thermal resistance to enable efficient heat transfer from battery cells to support columns.
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 design enhances cooling performance and structural strength, ensuring effective heat dissipation and robust cell retention.
Implementation Method 1
both ends of each support column in the axial direction being connected to the casing... each of the support columns includes a cavity and includes, on a lateral surface of the support column, a communication hole allowing the cavity to communicate with an outside of the support column
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a battery module including: a casing; and a plurality of battery cells each having a substantially columnar shape, the battery module including a plurality of support columns each arranged along an axial direction of the battery cell, both ends of each support column in the axial direction being connected to the casing, wherein each of the support columns includes a cavity and includes, on a lateral surface of the support column, a communication hole allowing the cavity to communicate with an outside of the support column, and each of the support columns is arranged between a plurality of the battery cells and is bonded to the battery cell with an adhesive agent which the cavity is filled with and which flows out to the outside of the support column through the communication hole.