Battery Terminal Cooling Plate with Refrigerant Flow Channel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for electrode terminals of electricity storage devices are inefficient, leading to suboptimal temperature management during charging and discharging processes.
Innovation Solution
A terminal cooling part comprising a first and second metal plate superimposed on the electrode terminals, forming a refrigerant circulating space with a supply and discharge port, enhancing cooling efficiency by circulating refrigerant through the space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional cooling system is used for electrode terminals, then the structure is simple, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plate is divided into a first plate and a second plate that are separated by a predetermined distance, creating multiple cooling surfaces. The first plate contacts the electrode terminal directly while the second plate forms the outer surface of the cooling system, allowing refrigerant circulation in the intermediate space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane cooling structure to a three-dimensional cooling system by spacing the first and second plates apart. This creates a volumetric refrigerant circulation space, enabling cooling from multiple directions and significantly improving heat dissipation efficiency.
2Productivity
If the refrigerant circulating space is enlarged, then cooling efficiency improves, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system concentrates refrigerant circulation in the localized space between the first and second plates directly at the electrode terminal contact point. This targeted approach maximizes cooling efficiency at the heat generation source without requiring a large overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant circulation space is nested within the structure formed by the first and second plates, which themselves are integrated with the electrode terminal assembly. This nested configuration allows the cooling system to occupy minimal additional space while providing effective cooling.
3Temperature
If the first plate is directly joined to the electrode terminal, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but electrical conductivity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The first plate acts as an intermediary component between the electrode terminal and the cooling system. It provides thermal contact with the terminal while its metallic construction maintains electrical conductivity, effectively mediating between thermal management requirements and electrical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system uses metal plates (first plate and second plate) that possess both thermal conductivity for heat transfer and electrical conductivity for maintaining electrical pathways. This composite functional approach allows simultaneous achievement of cooling efficiency and electrical reliability.
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 solution increases the cooling efficiency of electrode terminals by optimizing refrigerant circulation, reducing pressure loss, and maintaining a compact design while minimizing damage from device vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant circulating space with a supply port and a discharge port, wherein the refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circulating space
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A terminal cooling part (30) for an electricity storage device (100) includes a first plate (31) and a second plate (36). The first plate includes a joining portion (31a) that is joined to the electrode terminal (60,65). The second plate is opposed to a surface of the first plate at an opposite side to a surface of the first plate that is superimposed on the end surface of the electrode terminal except for the joining portion. The second plate includes a raised portion (37) that forms a refrigerant circulating space (39) between the raised portion and the first plate. The second plate is configured such that a portion around the raised portion is joined to the first plate. The second plate includes a supply port (36a) via which a refrigerant is supplied to the refrigerant circulating space, and a discharge port (36b)via which the refrigerant is discharged from the refrigerant circulating space.