Cylindrical Battery Cooling Pins for High-Current Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cylindrical secondary batteries face challenges in efficiently cooling the electrode assembly when high current is discharged, leading to increased temperature and resistance, which hampers continuous high-current discharge.

Innovation Solution

A cylindrical secondary battery design incorporating a cooling member with parallel cooling pins at the lower portion of the can, where the pins are aligned with the longitudinal direction and the bottom surface of the can is shaped to increase in height from the edge to the center, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and potential use of a center rod for enhanced thermal conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If high current is discharged to increase power output, then the battery can provide higher power, but heat is generated in the electrode assembly causing temperature increase and resistance increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidelectrode assembly temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cooling function from the battery system by introducing a separate cooling member with cooling pins that are coupled to the can. This cooling member is positioned to receive heat from the electrode assembly through the can wall, allowing heat removal without interfering with the electrochemical reactions inside the battery. The cooling pins extend into the cooling space to maximize heat exchange surface area while keeping the battery structure intact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The can serves as an intermediary thermal conduction path between the electrode assembly and the cooling member. The cooling member couples to the can, which is in turn coupled to the electrode assembly, creating a thermal conduction chain that efficiently transfers heat from the electrode assembly through the can wall to the cooling pins without requiring direct contact between the cooling member and the electrode assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If cooling members are added to improve heat dissipation, then cooling efficiency increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidbattery structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The can serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical containment for the electrode assembly, acts as a thermal conduction path for heat removal, and serves as a mounting structure for the cooling member. The cooling pins simultaneously provide thermal conduction and create turbulence in the cooling fluid. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining improved cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 cooling member effectively reduces heat generation and resistance, preventing deformation due to internal pressure and increasing the battery's capacity and cooling efficiency, while the center rod enhances heat release and electrical connectivity.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling member which receives heat generated in the electrode assembly to release the heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3783730B1Secondary battery
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3783730B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3783730B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3783730B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A secondary battery according to the present invention, in which an electrode assembly is built in a cylindrical can, a top cap connected to a positive electrode of the electrode assembly is coupled to an upper end of the can, and the can is connected to a negative electrode, comprises: a cooling member which receives heat generated in the electrode assembly to release the heat and is coupled to a lower portion of the can, wherein the cooling member comprises a plurality of cooling pins disposed parallel to each other.