Battery Unit Cooling Substrate Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery cooling methods, such as air cooling and Peltier element-based cooling, result in large and costly battery systems due to increased part count and limited cooling capacity, making them inefficient and expensive for high-capacity secondary batteries in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A compact battery unit design featuring a cooling substrate with a flat panel shape, holding members with deformable heat transfer members, and a coolant passage system that allows battery cells to be positioned arbitrarily for efficient heat transfer and reduced part count, aligning terminal faces for easy connection and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air cooling method is used with air passage and blower unit, then cooling function is provided, but battery system size increases and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling substrate integrates multiple functions: it serves as both the cooling device and the support structure for battery cells. The holding members are integrated into the cooling substrate, eliminating the need for separate support structures. This merging of functions reduces the overall battery system size while maintaining effective cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling substrate performs multiple roles simultaneously: it provides cooling through coolant flow passages, supports battery cells through integrated holding members, and serves as a structural component of the battery unit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling devices and support structures, reducing part count and production cost.
2Temperature
If air cooling method is used with air passage and blower unit, then cooling function is provided, but number of parts increases and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling substrate performs multiple roles simultaneously: it provides cooling through coolant flow passages, supports battery cells through integrated holding members, and serves as a structural component of the battery unit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling devices and support structures, reducing part count and production cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling substrate integrates multiple functions: it serves as both the cooling device and the support structure for battery cells. The holding members are integrated into the cooling substrate, eliminating the need for separate support structures. This merging of functions reduces the overall battery system size while maintaining effective cooling capability.
3Temperature
If many cooling devices are used to cool multiple batteries, then cooling capacity is sufficient, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single cooling substrate can support and cool multiple battery cells simultaneously through its integrated structure and coolant passages. This eliminates the need for multiple separate cooling devices, reducing production cost while maintaining sufficient cooling capacity for all battery cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling substrate integrates multiple functions: it serves as both the cooling device and the support structure for battery cells. The holding members are integrated into the cooling substrate, eliminating the need for separate support structures. This merging of functions reduces the overall battery system size while maintaining effective cooling capability.
4Temperature
If battery cells are fixed with space defined therebetween, then cooling passages can be formed, but number of parts increases and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling substrate integrates multiple functions: it serves as both the cooling device and the support structure for battery cells. The holding members are integrated into the cooling substrate, eliminating the need for separate support structures. This merging of functions reduces the overall battery system size while maintaining effective cooling capability.
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 enables a smaller, cost-effective battery unit with improved heat management, reducing production costs and allowing for efficient cooling of multiple battery cells within a limited space, thereby enhancing battery performance and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable heat transfer member is interposed between the opposite-to-terminal face and the cooling surface of the cooling substrate so as to transfer heat between the opposite-to-terminal face and the cooling surface
Implementation Method 2
a passage which is connected to the connecting pipe and through which coolant flows is provided in the cooling substrate
Implementation Method 3
through which coolant flows is provided in the cooling substrate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A battery unit (10) includes a plurality of battery cells (16) and a cooling substrate (12). The battery cells are disposed so as to hold the cooling substrate therebetween. A face of the battery cell other than a terminal face thereof where terminals (17) are provided is attached to a cooling surface of the cooling substrate (12) so as to transfer heat between the cooling surface and the face attached thereto.