Composite Fin Battery Module for Uniform Heating and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules struggle to maintain optimal operating performance in extreme temperature environments, such as cryogenic conditions, due to inefficient heating and cooling mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a heating/cooling composite fin structure, which includes compressive pads, cooling fins, heating films, and coating films, is interposed between adjacent battery cells. This structure allows for uniform and efficient heating and cooling by effectively managing heat transfer and temperature distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cooling and heating mechanisms are used in battery modules, then the structure is simple, but the temperature control is non-uniform and inefficient in extreme temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines heating and cooling functions into a single integrated fin structure. The fin serves dual purposes: it acts as a cooling fin for heat dissipation and incorporates heating films for temperature maintenance, eliminating the need for separate heating and cooling systems while achieving uniform temperature control across the battery module.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. It provides structural support between battery cells, serves as a heat dissipation pathway through the cooling fin, incorporates heating capability via integrated heating films, and maintains thermal contact through the compressive pad. This multi-functional design improves temperature control reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If heating films are added to the battery module for low-temperature operation, then the heating capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating films are integrated directly into the fin structure rather than being separate components. The heating films are positioned between the cooling fin and the compressive pad, forming a unified heating/cooling composite fin that combines both thermal management functions in a single element, thereby improving low-temperature capability with minimal increase in overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If cooling fins are positioned between battery cells for heat dissipation, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the space between cells is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fin structure serves multiple functions within the limited space between battery cells. It provides mechanical spacing, acts as a heat dissipation pathway through its extended surface area, incorporates heating capability, and maintains thermal contact through the compressive pad. By consolidating these functions into a single compact structure, the design achieves improved cooling efficiency without proportionally reducing the space between cells.
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 battery module achieves rapid and uniform temperature increase in low-temperature environments, ensuring normal operation while also efficiently discharging heat to maintain optimal performance and prevent degradation.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element connected to an external power source and configured to generate heat
Implementation Method 2
cooling fins each positioned between the compressive pad and the battery cell
Implementation Method 3
cooling fins each positioned between the compressive pad and the battery cell
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a battery cell stack made by stacking a plurality of battery cells adjacent to one another in parallel; and a heating/cooling composite fin interposed between adjacent battery cells of the battery cell stack. The heating/cooling composite fin includes: a compressive pad positioned between the adjacent battery cells; cooling fins each positioned between the compressive pad and a respective one of the adjacent battery cells; and heating films each positioned between the compressive pad and a respective one of the cooling fins.