Cooling Plate Assembly for Swappable EV Battery Temperature Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The discharge capacity of electric vehicle batteries is reduced faster when stored at high temperatures, necessitating a solution to maintain battery temperature at reduced levels to extend battery life.
Innovation Solution
A thermally regulated energy storage assembly featuring a cooling plate with stamped and crimped regions that define fluid channels for circulating a cooling fluid, which is placed in thermal communication with battery modules to remove heat and reduce temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If batteries are stored at high temperatures, then the batteries can operate in warm environments, but the discharge capacity is reduced faster and battery life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plate changes the thermal parameter of the battery system by introducing a cooling fluid that absorbs heat, thereby changing the temperature state of the battery from high to low, which resolves the contradiction between operating temperature and battery life
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling plate acts as an intermediary between the battery and the cooling fluid. It transfers heat from the battery to the cooling fluid, which then carries the heat away, thereby protecting the battery from high temperature damage while maintaining operational temperature
2Reliability
If a cooling system is added to regulate battery temperature, then battery life is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into distinct functional components: the cooling plate with fluid channels, the cooling fluid circulation system with inlet/outlet ports, and the battery module. This segmentation allows for independent optimization and maintenance of each component, reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling plate serves multiple functions: it provides thermal management by cooling the battery, acts as a structural component of the battery assembly, and facilitates fluid circulation through its channel design. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing device 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
The solution effectively extends the life of electric vehicle batteries by maintaining them at reduced temperatures, thereby slowing the reduction in discharge capacity associated with high temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling plate in thermal communication with the battery module... to remove heat and reduce temperature
Implementation Method 2
one or more fluid channels to circulate a cooling fluid within the cooling plate
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling plate includes an inlet port, an outlet port, a planar first metal sheet, and a second metal sheet disposed on the first metal sheet. The second metal sheet has stamped and crimped regions that define one or more fluid channels to circulate a cooling fluid within the cooling plate, the one or more fluid channels fluidly coupled to the inlet port and the outlet port. The cooling plate can be in thermal communication with a battery module for an electric vehicle.