Capillary Wicking Structure for Battery Thermal Management
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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 utilizing capillary void matrices and wicking jackets to create a liquid-to-vapor phase change system that prevents failure propagation by dissipating heat and providing structural containment, using multiscale wicks with different pore sizes for effective capillary pumping and high-temperature resistance.
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 and reliability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material automatically absorbs excess heat through phase transition without requiring external control systems, pumps, or active circulation mechanisms. The material self-regulates temperature by changing from solid to liquid state when heat exceeds threshold levels, eliminating the need for complex active thermal management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
A solid-to-liquid phase change material is provided around the array to absorb excess heat in case of a cell failure. The phase transition absorbs large amounts of latent heat, providing passive thermal management that prevents overheating without requiring active circulation systems.
2Temperature
If excess battery capacity is provided to reduce charge/discharge rate, then cell temperature is reduced, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
A phase change material acts as an intermediary thermal management component between the battery cells and the environment. This material absorbs excess heat directly at the cell level during phase transition, allowing the battery array to maintain optimal temperature without requiring oversizing of battery capacity.
3Reliability
If multiple layers of safety features are required to provide fail-safe systems, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material provides multiple functions simultaneously: thermal management during normal operation, overheating protection during failure conditions, and passive safety without requiring active control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate safety systems while maintaining high reliability.
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 manages thermal stress, preventing cascading failures by dissipating heat through evaporation and condensation, while providing structural reinforcement to contain overheating batteries, thereby enhancing the reliability and safety of battery arrays.
Implementation Method 1
a wicking structure, such as a wick, wrapped around an exterior surface of the battery cell
Implementation Method 2
a solid-to-liquid phase change material may be provided around the array to absorb excess heat in case of a cell failure
Implementation Method 3
dissipating heat through evaporation and condensation
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 disposed about an outer casing of the first battery cell.