Cantilevered Biasing Mechanism for Battery Cell Thermal Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cell and cold plate interfaces in electric vehicles do not effectively enhance thermal performance, leading to potential overheating issues due to inadequate thermal energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
A cantilevered member is used to bias battery cells against a cold plate, ensuring a contiguous interface and enhanced thermal energy transfer by pressing the cells directly against the cold plate, either through a flange or fingers extending from a rail, to improve heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If battery cells interface with a cold plate without biasing, then the structure is simple, but thermal energy transfer is insufficient leading to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a biasing force through the cantilevered member to modify the contact pressure between battery cells and cold plate. This changes the thermal interface parameter from loose contact to pressed contact, significantly enhancing thermal energy transfer without requiring complex thermal management systems
Solution Approach 2:
The cantilevered member is designed to automatically apply biasing force through its own structural configuration. The member extends from the cold plate and uses its inherent flexibility to press against battery cells, creating a self-regulating thermal interface that maintains contact without external actuation or complex control mechanisms
2Temperature
If a cantilevered member is introduced to press battery cells against the cold plate, then thermal energy transfer is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cantilevered member is constructed as a flexible element that can bend and conform to the battery cell surfaces. This flexibility allows the member to maintain consistent contact pressure across irregular surfaces while using a simple, thin structural form rather than a rigid complex mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The cantilevered member may include multiple segments or fingers that can independently contact different battery cells. This segmentation allows the single component to serve multiple thermal interface points simultaneously, enhancing overall thermal transfer without proportionally increasing complexity
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 enhances thermal energy transfer between battery cells and the cold plate, reducing the likelihood of overheating and improving the overall efficiency and performance of the battery assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a cantilevered member to urge the plurality of battery cells toward the cold plate
Implementation Method 2
Thermal energy moves from the battery cells to the cold plate. The liquid carries the thermal energy away from the battery cells
Implementation Method 3
Liquid circulates through the cold plate. The liquid carries the thermal energy away from the battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
An example electric vehicle battery assembly includes, among other things, a plurality of battery cells, a cold plate, and a cantilevered member to urge the plurality of battery cells toward the cold plate. An electric vehicle battery assembly according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a battery cell, a cold plate, and a cantilevered member biasing a first side of the battery cell toward the cold plate to enhance thermal energy transfer between the battery cell and the cold plate. The cantilevered member biases the first side by pressing against an opposite, second side of the battery cell.