Composite Battery Pad With Integrated Heating for Cell Swelling Buffering

Solution Overview

Problem

Battery modules face performance limitations and potential damage when operating outside optimal temperature ranges, particularly at low temperatures, due to the lack of effective heating solutions that also provide elasticity and thermal conductivity.

Innovation Solution

A composite pad with both elasticity and thermal conductivity properties is integrated into the battery module, featuring a pad body with a heat generating part that can be electrically powered to generate heat, thereby maintaining optimal battery performance across varying temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heating device is added to the battery module, then the temperature control capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is merged with the buffer pad by integrating a heating element into the pad structure. The buffer pad serves dual purposes: providing mechanical buffering for volume changes and generating heat through the integrated heating element, thereby eliminating the need for a separate heating device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer pad is transformed into a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs mechanical buffering and thermal heating functions. This universal component approach allows one element to fulfill multiple roles in the battery module, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If a heating device is added to the battery module, then the temperature control capability is improved, but the space efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoidspace efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is merged with the buffer pad by integrating a heating element into the pad structure. The buffer pad serves dual purposes: providing mechanical buffering for volume changes and generating heat through the integrated heating element, thereby eliminating the need for a separate heating device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer pad is transformed into a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs mechanical buffering and thermal heating functions. This universal component approach allows one element to fulfill multiple roles in the battery module, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If a rigid heating structure is used, then the thermal conductivity is improved, but the ability to buffer volume changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoidbuffering capability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer pad employs composite material construction combining flexible polymer materials with integrated heating elements. This composite structure maintains the elastic properties needed for buffering volume changes while incorporating functional heating components, achieving both mechanical flexibility and thermal functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer pad utilizes flexible material structures that can deform elastically to accommodate battery volume changes. The flexible construction allows the pad to maintain contact with battery surfaces while providing heating functionality through integrated elements, combining flexibility with thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 composite pad effectively heats battery cells, maintaining performance and preventing damage by ensuring they operate within a suitable temperature range, while also providing space efficiency and buffering against volume changes due to swelling.

Implementation Method 1

a heat generating part coupled to the pad body and connected to an edge of the pad, wherein the heat generating part generates heat when an electric power is provided to the heat generating part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20240097235A1Composite pad and battery module including the same

Publication Date: 2024.03.21 SK ON CO LTD

AI summary

A composite pad and a battery cell assembly and a battery module including the composite pad are disclosed. In some implementations, the battery cell assembly comprises a plurality of battery cells arranged in a direction, and one or more pads, each pad disposed between two adjacent battery cells of the plurality of battery cells, at least one of the one or more pads including a pad body with elasticity, and a heat generating part coupled to the pad body and connected to an edge of the at least one of the one or more pads and configured to generate heat upon application of electric power to the heat generating part.