Battery Module Tab-Bus Bar Cooling With Phase Change Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules face challenges in intensively cooling high-heat areas, such as the connecting area between the cell tab and the bus bar, due to limitations in the layout and distribution of phase change materials.
Innovation Solution
The battery module incorporates a phase change member between the cooling plate and the bus bar, featuring a phase change material that absorbs and temporarily stores heat generated in the connecting area, and includes additional phase change members on the top surface and between unit cells to enhance cooling performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If phase change material is simply provided around the battery cell, then the structure is simple, but the cooling performance in high-heat areas is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase change members specifically at high-heat generation areas such as the connecting area between cell tabs and bus bars, rather than uniformly distributing them. This localized application targets the specific thermal problems at connection points while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material is divided into multiple discrete phase change members positioned at different high-heat areas (connecting areas between cell tabs and bus bars). This segmentation allows targeted cooling of specific hot spots while keeping the overall structure simple.
2Device complexity
If phase change material is applied around the battery cell, then the layout is simple, but the heat absorption capacity in connecting areas is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent concentrates phase change members at specific locations with high heat generation (connecting areas between cell tabs and bus bars) rather than uniform distribution. This increases heat absorption capacity where it is most needed while maintaining simple overall layout.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple phase change members are strategically positioned at different connecting areas to collectively increase the total heat absorption capacity. Each member addresses local thermal loads, and their combined effect significantly enhances overall heat absorption without complex layout.
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 configuration significantly improves the cooling performance of the battery module by effectively absorbing and storing heat, preventing abnormal temperature rises, and reducing the risk of fire and explosion.
Implementation Method 1
a phase change member provided between the cooling plate and the bus bar, and including a phase change material that changes phase by absorbing heat generated in a connecting area between the bus bar and the cell tab
Implementation Method 2
a cooling plate provided separate from the bus bar frame, and connected to the heat sink to enable heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a battery cell having formed thereon cell tabs; a heat sink arranged on one side of the battery cell to discharge heat generated from the battery cell to the outside; bus bars connected with the cell tabs; a bus bar frame which supports the bus bars; a cooling plate arranged apart from the bus bar frame and connected to the heat sink to enable heat transfer; and a phase change member which is arranged between the cooling plate and the bus bars to transfer, to the cooling plate, heat generated at the connection sites between the bus bars and the cell tabs and which includes a phase change material that changes phase by absorbing the heat generated at the connection sites between the bus bars and the cell tabs.