Battery Module Thermal Layout for Cells and Switching Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-power battery systems face inefficient heat management due to chemical conversion processes in lithium-ion and lithium polymer battery cells, leading to excessive heating, which requires an effective active thermal management system to control temperature.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring electroconductively connected lithium-ion battery cells, a switching device, and a temperature control element with a fluid flow system, where the temperature control element is thermoconductively connected to both the battery cells and the switching device, with optimized flow guide and interference elements to minimize thermal path length and maximize heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a traditional thermal management system is used for battery modules, then the structure is simple, but the heat dissipation efficiency is insufficient and temperature control is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal management function into the battery module housing itself. The housing is designed with integrated cooling channels that serve as the temperature control element, eliminating the need for separate cooling plates or thermal management components. This integration achieves efficient heat dissipation while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the battery cells and simultaneously acts as the temperature control element with integrated cooling channels. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while improving heat dissipation efficiency.
2Device complexity
If the switching device is connected to the battery module housing, then the structure is simplified, but the thermal coupling between battery cells and switching device increases causing inadequate temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control element is segmented into distinct first and second regions. The first region is positioned adjacent to battery cells for their thermal management, while the second region is positioned adjacent to the switching device for its thermal management. This spatial segmentation allows independent temperature control for different components, preventing thermal interference while maintaining structural integration.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the temperature control element are optimized for different thermal requirements. The first region near battery cells has cooling channel configurations suited for battery thermal management, while the second region near the switching device has configurations optimized for electronic component cooling, achieving local thermal optimization.
3Loss of energy
If the thermal path length between switching device and temperature control element is reduced, then temperature control efficiency improves, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control element is merged with the battery module housing, creating a direct thermal connection between the switching device and the cooling channels. This integration eliminates intermediate thermal resistance layers and minimizes thermal path length, achieving efficient heat transfer from the switching device to the cooling fluid.
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 reliable and efficient heat dissipation for the switching device and battery cells, maintaining a minimal temperature difference between the control fluid and the switching device, thereby providing optimal temperature control and thermal decoupling without the need for additional cooling elements.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature control element is thermoconductively connected to both the battery cells and the switching device
Implementation Method 2
a temperature control fluid flows through the temperature control element
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module having a plurality of battery cells, which are each electroconductively connected serially and/or in parallel to each other, and having a switching device, which comprises a first connector and a second connector, wherein the first connector is electroconductively connected to a voltage tap of a terminally arranged battery cell, and wherein the second connector is electroconductively connected to a voltage tap of the battery module, and having a temperature control element configured such that a temperature control fluid flows through it and which is also thermoconductively connected to the plurality of battery cells as well as the switching device, wherein the temperature control element comprises a first region, which is arranged immediately adjacent the plurality of battery cells and comprises a second region, which is arranged immediately adjacent the switching device.