Coolant Line Clamping Battery Cell Stack
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage devices for vehicles, such as electric vehicles, face challenges in achieving homogeneous temperature distribution due to inhomogeneous cooling methods, which can lead to reduced service life and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage device with a coolant line extending along the outer wall of the battery cell stack, incorporating thermally conductive elements between adjacent cells for improved heat transfer and a dual-function coolant line that also serves as a tensioning element, eliminating the need for additional holding frames and enhancing compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling plate is arranged underneath the battery cells, then cooling function is provided, but inhomogeneous temperature distribution occurs within the storage cells
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is segmented into multiple cooling elements (cooling plates and cooling bodies) that are distributed at different locations around the battery cell stack. Instead of using a single cooling plate underneath, the invention divides the cooling function into multiple segments (cooling plates on top/bottom and cooling bodies on side walls) to achieve more uniform heat removal from all surfaces of the battery cells, thereby resolving the temperature distribution homogeneity issue while improving reliability.
2Strength
If a holding frame is used to position and brace the battery cell stack, then mechanical support is provided, but additional space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the mechanical support function with the cooling function by integrating holding elements into the cooling device structure. The cooling device is designed to simultaneously provide cooling and mechanical bracing of the battery cell stack, eliminating the need for a separate holding frame. This combination reduces the overall space occupation while maintaining adequate mechanical support strength.
3Reliability
If separate cooling plates and holding frames are used, then cooling and mechanical support functions are provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs cooling and mechanical support functions. The cooling plates and cooling bodies are integrated with holding elements, allowing a single device structure to provide both thermal management and structural bracing. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating separate components while maintaining reliable functional performance.
4Temperature
If cooling plates are arranged on all outer surfaces, then homogeneous cooling is achieved, but overall height and technical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by providing cooling functionality at specific critical locations rather than uniformly on all surfaces. Cooling plates are placed on the top and bottom surfaces where heat generation is significant, while cooling bodies are integrated into the side wall holding elements. This localized cooling approach achieves sufficient temperature homogeneity without increasing overall height or technical complexity.
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 solution provides a more homogeneous temperature control, reduces the overall height and technical complexity, and offers cost, weight, and packaging advantages by integrating cooling and bracing functions within the coolant line, thereby enhancing the performance and longevity of the energy storage device.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device for cooling the storage cells. The cooling device has at least one coolant line through which a coolant can flow
Implementation Method 2
at least one thermally conductive element which is arranged in one of the intermediate regions formed between two adjacent storage cells. The thermally conductive element extends in each case from the intermediate area to the coolant line and is in thermal contact with the coolant line
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to an energy storage device (1, 1', 1") for storing electrical energy, preferably for a vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered. The invention further relates to a vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle, comprising an energy storage device (1; 1'; 1"). The energy storage device (1; 1'; 1") comprises a battery cell stack (2) consisting of a plurality of storage cells (3) arranged side by side in a stack-like manner.The energy storage device (1; 1'; 1") further comprises a cooling device (4) for cooling the storage cells (3), comprising at least one coolant line (5) through which a coolant flows, preferably in the stacking direction (S), and which extends along an outer wall of the battery cell stack (2), and at least one thermally conductive element (6; 16) which is arranged in at least one of the intermediate areas formed between two adjacent storage cells (3), which extends from the intermediate area to the coolant line (5) and is thermally contacted with the coolant line (5). The energy storage device (1; 1'; 1") further comprises a clamping device (7) for clamping the storage cells (3), comprising at least one clamping element (8) extending along the outer wall of the battery cell stack (2), wherein a section of the coolant line (5) forms the clamping element (8).