Battery Cell Support Layout for Electrolyte Flow and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing battery module designs, as described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2023-074271, face challenges in ensuring efficient electrolyte solution flow due to the narrowing of flow paths when pressing forces are applied, which affects the reliability of the battery module.
Innovation Solution
The battery module design incorporates a first and second supporting portion with protrusions that extend in orthogonal directions to minimize overlap and distribute pressing forces, creating non-overlapping paths for electrolyte solution flow and integrating cooling medium paths for efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If pressing forces are applied to battery cells through supporting portions with protrusions, then mechanical support and cell positioning are improved, but electrolyte solution flow paths become narrow and flow reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional overlap configuration to a three-dimensional staggered arrangement. The first protrusions extend in a first direction while the second protrusions extend in a second direction that is different from the first direction, creating a staggered configuration that eliminates direct overlap. This dimensional change in the arrangement of protrusions opens up flow paths for the electrolyte solution while maintaining mechanical support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting portions are segmented into multiple protrusions (first protrusions and second protrusions) with different extension directions. Instead of using a single continuous supporting structure that would block flow paths, the support function is divided into multiple discrete protrusion elements arranged in a staggered pattern, allowing electrolyte solution to flow through the gaps between them.
2Device complexity
If protrusions extend in the same direction and overlap, then structural simplicity is maintained, but electrolyte solution flow paths are blocked and cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces directional diversity by having first protrusions extend in a first direction and second protrusions extend in a second direction that is different from the first direction. This creates a three-dimensional staggered arrangement that opens up cooling channels and flow paths for electrolyte solution, significantly improving heat dissipation and cooling efficiency without substantially increasing structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A first supporting portion (211) and a second supporting portion (221) sandwich one battery cell (101) of a plurality of battery cells (100) in a first direction. The first supporting portion (211) includes a plurality of first protrusions (270). Each of the plurality of first protrusions (270) protrudes with respect to a first main surface portion (213) in the first direction and extends in the form of a strip along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second supporting portion (221) includes a plurality of second protrusions (280). Each of the plurality of second protrusions (280) protrudes with respect to a second main surface portion (222) in the first direction. When viewed in the first direction, each of the plurality of second protrusions (280) extends in the form of a strip so as not to overlap with the plurality of first protrusions (270), or extends in the form of a strip along a third direction different from the second direction.