Battery Thermal Fin Structure for Heat Dissipation and Cell Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal management systems for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles fail to effectively maintain uniform temperature across battery cells and prevent thermal runaway events, which can be triggered by heat propagation between cells.
Innovation Solution
A thermal fin structure with high thermal conductivity contact units and a low thermal conductivity supporting unit, arranged to create a thermally insulating gap, allowing efficient heat dissipation while minimizing heat transfer between adjacent cells, modules, or packs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If thermal fins are used to conduct heat away from battery cells, then heat dissipation is improved, but thermal propagation between cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal fin is divided into two distinct contact units with different thermal conductivity properties. The first contact unit (higher thermal conductivity) is optimized for heat dissipation, while the second contact unit (lower thermal conductivity) is optimized for thermal isolation between cells. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the thermal fin are assigned different thermal conductivity characteristics. The first contact unit has higher thermal conductivity to efficiently conduct heat away from the battery cell, while the second contact unit has lower thermal conductivity to prevent heat transfer to adjacent cells. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between heat dissipation and thermal propagation prevention.
2Loss of energy
If high thermal conductivity material is used for thermal fins, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but thermal safety between cells deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal fin incorporates materials with different thermal conductivity properties in different locations. The first contact unit uses higher thermal conductivity material for efficient heat dissipation, while the second contact unit uses lower thermal conductivity material for thermal safety. This local quality differentiation allows the system to achieve both heat dissipation efficiency and thermal safety simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal fin is constructed as a composite structure with at least two different materials having different thermal conductivity properties. This composite approach allows the fin to exhibit both high heat dissipation efficiency (through the higher conductivity material) and thermal safety (through the lower conductivity material), resolving the contradiction between energy loss and reliability.
3Reliability
If thermal insulation between cells is increased, then thermal safety is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal fin is segmented into two functional zones: the first contact unit that maintains good thermal contact with the battery cell for heat dissipation, and the second contact unit that provides thermal insulation between cells. This segmentation enables the system to achieve both thermal safety and heat dissipation capability without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal fin acts as an intermediary structure between adjacent battery cells. It mediates the thermal interaction by providing a controlled thermal pathway for heat dissipation while simultaneously blocking excessive heat transfer between cells through its dual-contact-unit design with different thermal conductivity properties.
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 thermal fin structure effectively manages heat dissipation and prevents thermal runaway by maintaining uniform temperature and reducing heat propagation between battery cells, modules, or packs, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency and safety of lithium-ion batteries.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling fins may be made of a material with a high thermal conductivity (alternatively, low thermal resistance) to transfer heat to a cooler or heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a supporting unit (or insulator) arranged adjacent to the first contact unit or sandwiched between the first and the second contact unit
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 2C~2I
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Thermal fin (26) for a battery apparatus configured to prevent thermal propagation between battery pack subassemblies comprising a first and/or a second contact unit (28, 30) adapted to be in facing contact with a first and a second battery pack subassembly and a supporting unit (32) sandwiched between the first and the second contact unit (28, 30). The thermal fin (26) extends in a fin plane, has a fin length in cross section along a longitudinal axis and a fin thickness, and the thermal resistance within the fin plane is lower than the thermal resistance in a direction normal to the fin plane, such that the thermal fin ensures a thermal management function and a thermal safety function of the battery apparatus.