Capillary Void Matrix Thermal Management for Battery Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Li-ion batteries face issues with reduced cycle lifetime and reliability due to excess heat build-up, leading to potential catastrophic failures, which existing thermal management systems fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional thermal management system incorporating capillary void matrices and wicking ground planes with multiscale wicks to facilitate liquid-to-vapor phase change cooling, providing both thermal management and failure containment by preventing heat propagation between battery cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air or electrically non-conductive liquid is circulated around the array to transport excess heat, then thermal management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cell outer casing itself serves as the thermal management component by incorporating capillary void matrices directly into the casing structure. This eliminates the need for separate cooling channels or external liquid circulation systems, as the casing performs both structural and thermal management functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer casing of the battery cell is designed to perform multiple functions: providing structural containment and enabling passive thermal management through integrated capillary void matrices. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity by combining what would traditionally be separate components.
2Temperature
If a solid-to-liquid phase change material is provided around the array to absorb excess heat, then thermal management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary wick structure and phase change material are combined into a single integrated system. The capillary void matrices provide both the structural framework and the phase change material containment, eliminating the need for separate safety feature layers while maintaining effective heat absorption capabilities.
3Temperature
If capillary void matrices with microchannels are formed in the outer casing, then heat transport efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring precise microchannel formation, the outer casing incorporates a porous material structure with capillary voids. This porous structure naturally provides the necessary capillary action for liquid transport without requiring high-precision manufacturing of specific channel geometries, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective heat transport.
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 system effectively transports excess heat away from battery cells, preventing overheating and cascading failures, while maintaining electrical connectivity and structural integrity, achieving cooling capabilities exceeding 100 W/cm2 and ensuring safe operation across a wide temperature range.
Implementation Method 1
a first capillary void matrix formed in an outer casing of the first battery cell. The first capillary void matrix may include a plurality of micro-channels disposed in the outer casing, with each of the plurality of microchannels extending between the first and second terminal ends
Implementation Method 2
The first capillary void matrix may also include a wicking ground plane in liquid communication with the first capillary void matrix
Implementation Method 3
a solid-to-liquid phase change material may be provided around the array to absorb excess heat in case of a cell failure
Data Source
AI summary
A system for thermal management and structural containment includes a first battery cell having first and second terminal ends, and a first capillary void matrix formed in an outer casing of the first battery cell.