Compact Cooling Unit for Energy Accumulators with Segmented Base Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy storage units, such as batteries and capacitors, generate significant heat, leading to reduced service life due to inefficient cooling solutions.
Innovation Solution
A compact cooling unit with a thermally conductive base plate and parallel, spaced cooling elements connected to a heat exchanger, featuring a separating plate for even temperature distribution and a modular design to accommodate cell tolerances, ensuring efficient and reliable cooling of flat cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a cooling unit is designed to be compact, then the space efficiency is improved, but the cooling efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling unit is segmented into multiple cooling channels formed within the base plate, allowing efficient heat extraction from multiple points simultaneously. This segmentation enables compact design while maintaining high cooling efficiency by distributing thermal management across multiple zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional external cooling arrangements to integrated internal cooling channels within the base plate. By embedding cooling pathways within the structural component itself, the design achieves compact volume while maintaining effective thermal contact with the battery stack.
2Reliability
If cooling elements are arranged parallel and spaced apart, then the cooling coverage is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling elements and base plate are merged into a single integrated component. The cooling channels are formed directly within the base plate structure through machining or molding, eliminating the need for separate cooling element assemblies and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining comprehensive cooling coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the battery stack, acts as a thermal management system with integrated cooling channels, and serves as a mounting surface for the battery cells. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
3Power
If a heat exchanger is directly connected to the base plate, then the heat extraction efficiency is improved, but the risk of condensate damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful condensate is extracted and redirected away from the battery stack through dedicated drainage channels formed in the base plate. The heat exchanger remains directly connected for efficient heat transfer, while the condensate removal system separately manages the liquid byproduct to prevent damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate acts as an intermediary between the heat exchanger and the battery stack. It efficiently transfers heat from the batteries to the heat exchanger while simultaneously serving as a barrier and drainage path for condensate, preventing direct contact between moisture and the battery cells.
4Ease of manufacture
If the base plate and cooling elements are made flat, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the temperature distribution uniformity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
While the overall base plate maintains a simple flat geometry for cost-effective manufacturing, localized features such as cooling channel configurations, varying wall thicknesses in specific zones, and strategically positioned mounting points are optimized to ensure uniform temperature distribution across the battery stack.
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 extracts operational waste heat, maintains a homogeneous temperature distribution, and prevents corrosion by managing condensate, thereby extending the service life and reliability of energy storage units.
Implementation Method 1
at least one base plate (18) which is in thermally conductive connection with essentially planar cooling elements (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d)
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchanger represents a heat sink that extracts heat from the environment
Implementation Method 3
The separation plate can comprise a heat-insulating and/or an elastic material
Implementation Method 4
The heat exchanger can be designed as an evaporator for evaporating a coolant
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling unit for an energy accumulator unit, comprising a plurality of flat cells stacked in a pile. The cooling unit comprises at least one base plate that is thermoconductively connected to essentially planar cooling elements arranged at a distance from, and parallel to, each other. The cooling unit also comprises a heat exchanger associated with the base plate, the heat exchanger comprising an assembly surface facing the base plate.