Electrochemical Cell Thermal Management via Edge Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrochemical cell cooling methods, such as using aluminum spacers, increase battery volume and mass, are costly, and suffer from suboptimal heat transfer due to imperfect contact and limited thermal conductivity, leading to inefficient cooling.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a contact element, such as a heat pipe or polymer-based foam, to enhance the contact surface between the electrodes and casing, facilitating heat exchange through the edges rather than the surface, thereby improving cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If aluminum spacers are used for cooling the electrochemical cell, then heat exchange capability is improved, but the volume and mass of the battery significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged with the existing casing structure. The casing itself is designed to provide thermal management by establishing direct thermal contact with the electrode edges, eliminating the need for separate aluminum spacers. This integration maintains cooling effectiveness while significantly reducing the volume and mass penalties associated with dedicated cooling components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function is extracted from the traditional spacer-based approach and repositioned to utilize the casing structure and electrode-casing interface. By taking out the dedicated cooling spacers and redistributing the thermal management function across the electrode edges and casing contact surfaces, the solution achieves cooling without the volume and mass overhead of conventional spacers.
2Temperature
If aluminum spacers are used for cooling the electrochemical cell, then heat exchange capability is improved, but the implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management function is combined with the existing casing manufacturing process. By designing the casing to inherently provide thermal contact with electrode edges, the solution eliminates the need for additional expensive aluminum spacers and their associated assembly steps, thereby reducing implementation cost while maintaining heat exchange capability.
3Strength
If rigid casing and spacer contact is used for heat transfer, then structural support is provided, but heat exchange efficiency is reduced due to imperfect contact
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer interface is extended from traditional surface-to-surface contact to edge-to-surface contact along the electrode perimeters. This dimensional change in the contact geometry increases the effective heat exchange area and improves thermal contact efficiency while the casing maintains its structural support function through its rigid construction.
4Temperature
If conventional cooling methods are used, then cooling function is provided, but the device complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The active cooling components and their associated complexity are extracted from the system. The solution relies on passive thermal conduction through the casing and electrode edges, eliminating the need for complex cooling circuits, pumps, and control systems, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements while providing effective cooling.
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 approach optimizes heat exchange by removing heat over the entire contact zone, reducing internal temperatures and improving cooling performance while minimizing physical barriers and costs.
Implementation Method 1
The contact element makes it possible to optimize the contact between the casing and the positive and negative electrodes, and thus to increase the heat exchange between the edges of each of the electrodes and of the separator with the casing
Implementation Method 2
the contact element comprises at least one heat pipe, of which a first end is connected to the contact element and a second end is formed outside the electrochemical cell
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochemical electricity storage cell including a casing including: at least two positive electrodes connected to a positive terminal, at least two negative electrodes connected to a negative terminal, the positive and negative electrodes being stacked in an alternating manner in the casing. At least one spacer is placed between each of the positive and negative electrodes. At least one contact element is placed in contact with the positive and negative electrodes and the casing.