Thermally Conductive Divider for Battery Thermal Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High power battery packs face challenges with thermal management, leading to inefficiencies in heat transfer, increased weight, and safety concerns due to temperature variations and mechanical stress, particularly in densely packed configurations.
Innovation Solution
A battery subpack design incorporating a divider with high in-plane conductivity and a plate with channels for fluid circulation, positioned between cells to regulate temperature and distribute heat efficiently, while also providing structural integrity against mechanical impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If battery packs are densely packed to increase power output, then power density is improved, but thermal management deteriorates leading to temperature variations and heat transfer inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dividers as intermediary components positioned between adjacent battery cells. These dividers serve as thermal mediators that conduct heat away from high-temperature cells and distribute it to lower-temperature cells, thereby reducing temperature variations in densely packed battery packs while maintaining high power output capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the thermal conductivity parameter of the divider material to optimize heat transfer. By selecting materials with specific thermal conductivity values (0.1-100 W/mK, with cells having 1-100 W/mK), the system achieves effective thermal management in densely packed configurations without compromising power density
2Reliability
If protective structures are added around battery cells to prevent mechanical damage, then safety is improved, but weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs dividers that perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide mechanical protection between cells, enable thermal management through heat conduction, and maintain structural integrity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate protective structures, reducing overall weight and volume while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the protective function with the thermal management function into a single divider component. By combining mechanical protection and heat transfer capabilities in one element, the system achieves safety requirements without adding extra weight or volume from separate protective structures
3Reliability
If protective structures are added around battery cells to prevent foreign object intrusion, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dividers are designed to provide multiple protective and functional capabilities in a single component, including mechanical protection against foreign objects, thermal management, and structural support. This reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate protective structures
4Temperature
If battery cells are loosely packed to improve heat dissipation, then thermal management is improved, but energy density decreases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dividers act as thermal intermediaries that enable effective heat dissipation even in densely packed configurations. By conducting heat laterally between cells, the dividers eliminate the need for loose packing, maintaining high energy density while achieving adequate thermal management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal management approach from relying on physical spacing (loose packing) to relying on thermal conductivity parameters of divider materials. This allows dense packing to be maintained while achieving effective heat dissipation through material property optimization
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 maintains uniform temperatures across the battery subpack, reduces weight and volume, and enhances safety by preventing thermal runaway and mechanical damage, while maintaining high energy density and cycle life.
Implementation Method 1
The dividers and plate may be coupled to one another and to the cells to distribute heat from the cells
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes systems, devices, and methods of using a battery pack. The battery pack includes a plurality of cells and a divider. The plurality of cells includes a first cell and a second cell and a divider positioned between the first cell and the second cell and configured such that an in-plane conductivity of the divider is 0.1-100 watts per meter Kelvin, an in-plane conductivity of a cell is 1-100 watts per meter Kelvin, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the divider may include a first surface configured to face the first cell and interposed between the first cell and the second cell and a second surface that extends from the first surface and faces the first cell and is interposed between the first cell and the third cell.