Battery Module Support Plate With TIM-Filled Through-Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery modules face challenges in efficiently dissipating heat generated by battery cells, which can lead to deterioration, ignition, or explosion if heat accumulation occurs.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a support member with through-holes filled with thermal interface material, contacting both the battery cells and a heat sink, and optionally a heat dissipation pad with similar through-holes, allowing for differential spacing based on temperature regions to enhance heat transfer efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If thermal interface material is applied extensively between battery cells and support member, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but module weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidmodule weight

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is segmented with multiple through-holes distributed across its surface. Each through-hole is filled with thermal interface material to create localized high-efficiency heat transfer points, replacing the need for extensive uniform thermal interface material application. This segmentation approach concentrates thermal management resources where most needed while reducing overall material usage and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal interface material is selectively placed at specific locations (through-holes) on the support member rather than being applied uniformly across the entire surface. This local quality approach optimizes heat dissipation at critical points where battery cells contact the support member, achieving effective thermal management with reduced material quantity and lower weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If excessive thermal interface material is used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but material cost and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support member structure is segmented into multiple discrete through-holes, each serving as a controlled application point for thermal interface material. This segmentation simplifies the application process by providing predefined locations for material placement, reducing the complexity of achieving uniform coverage while maintaining effective heat transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The through-holes act as intermediaries that facilitate controlled thermal interface material application. These pre-formed cavities serve as receptacles for the thermal material, enabling precise placement and reducing the skill level and time required for application compared to traditional surface coating methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If uniform through-hole distribution is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but heat dissipation efficiency in high-temperature regions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency in high-temperature regions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The through-holes are non-uniformly distributed with higher density in high-temperature regions and lower density in low-temperature regions. This local quality adaptation optimizes heat dissipation efficiency by concentrating thermal management resources where heat generation is highest, while still maintaining a structured pattern that is relatively simple to manufacture compared to completely custom patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The spatial distribution parameter of the through-holes is changed from uniform to non-uniform based on thermal requirements. By varying the density and spacing of through-holes according to local heat generation characteristics, the system achieves optimized heat dissipation efficiency while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through systematic patterning.

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

This design enables efficient heat dissipation from battery cells, reducing the need for excessive thermal interface material, lowering module weight and cost, while improving heat transfer efficiency and reducing processing time and material requirements.

Implementation Method 1

the plurality of through-holes are filled with a thermal interface material that contacts the plurality of battery cells and the heat sink through the through-holes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3686987B1Battery module

Publication Date: 2023.08.30 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

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AI summary

Disclosed is a battery module including a plurality of battery cells stacked on each other; a housing accommodating a plurality of battery cells and comprising a support member configured to support the plurality of battery cells and a cover member configured to cover the plurality of battery cells supported by the support member; and a heat sink configured to contact the support member, wherein the support member may have a plurality of through-holes formed therein, and the plurality of through-holes may be filled with a thermal interface material.