Cylindrical Battery Cell End-Cooling Plate for Higher Packing Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicle battery platforms face limitations in energy density due to the space taken up by cooling tubes used to cool battery cells, which restrict how tightly the cells can be packed.
Innovation Solution
A cooling plate configuration where battery cells are coupled at their ends to opposite sides of the plate, allowing for improved thermal management and increased packing density by using a cooling fluid that enters and exits the plate through input and output ports, with channels for efficient heat absorption and discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling tubes are run between cylindrical battery cells to cool the cells, then thermal management is improved, but the space available for battery cell packing is reduced, thereby limiting energy density
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a linear cooling tube configuration (one-dimensional space utilization) to a planar cooling plate configuration (two-dimensional space utilization). The cooling plate is positioned at the ends of cylindrical battery cells, utilizing the radial and axial dimensions simultaneously, thereby cooling multiple cells in parallel without occupying inter-cell spacing, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal management and packing density
2Temperature
If cooling tubes are used to cool battery cells, then thermal management is achieved, but the overall module volume is increased, reducing volumetric energy density
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the cooling function with the existing battery cell end caps or terminal structures. The cooling plate integrates thermal management functionality into components that are already present in the battery assembly, eliminating the need for separate cooling tube infrastructure and reducing overall module volume while maintaining effective cooling
3Temperature
If more space is allocated for cooling tubes, then thermal management effectiveness is improved, but energy density is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plate design allows the battery cell ends themselves to serve as the cooling interface. The thermal management system utilizes the existing structural components of the battery cells (end caps, terminals) as heat transfer surfaces, eliminating the need for additional dedicated cooling space while maintaining effective heat removal capability
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 configuration enhances energy density, thermal management, and safety by allowing for tighter packing of battery cells while effectively removing heat, thereby improving the overall performance and efficiency of the battery system.
Implementation Method 1
cooling fluid may enter and exit the cooling plate... through which the cooling fluid can pass through from the input port to the output port
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods that provide improved cooling for batteries are disclosed. A battery system according to the present disclosure may include a cooling plate, one or more battery cells coupled to one surface of the cooling plate, and one or more battery cells coupled to the opposite surface of the cooling plate. The cooling plate and corresponding batteries may be included in a battery module, and multiple battery modules electrically connected may make up a battery pack. The cooling plates may comprise channels for cooling fluid, which may be provided to the plates in parallel from a cooling fluid source. Cooling the battery cells at the ends of the cells, where they are coupled to the cooling plate, may advantageously provide one or more of improved energy density, thermal management, and safety.