Battery Module Cooling Fin Contact at Electrode Leads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery modules and packs face challenges in maintaining effective cooling performance and minimizing temperature deviations among battery cells, particularly in large-scale applications where heat dissipation is hindered by compact cell stacking, leading to potential performance deterioration and increased risk of explosion or ignition.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a cooling fin structure with first and second cooling fins positioned between battery cells to contact electrode leads at their protruding ends, along with an adhesive member and an elastic member to enhance heat dissipation and structural integrity, and a thermal conductive resin layer in the battery pack to facilitate direct heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a large number of battery cells are compactly stacked to form a battery module, then capacity and output are improved, but heat dissipation becomes difficult and temperature rises excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacity and outputVSAvoidtemperature rise

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The battery module is segmented into multiple layers with cooling fins inserted between the battery cell stacks. This segmentation allows heat to be dissipated from internal regions rather than just from the outer surfaces, enabling compact stacking while maintaining effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cooling fins act as intermediary heat transfer components inserted between battery cell stacks. These fins provide additional heat dissipation pathways by contacting the electrode leads and transferring heat to the cooling system, mediating between the heat-generating battery cells and the cooling mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of stationary object

If battery cells are compactly stacked, then space utilization is improved, but temperature deviation between battery cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidtemperature uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The compact battery module is segmented into multiple layers with cooling fins positioned between them. This segmentation ensures that battery cells at different positions (inner and outer) have access to cooling pathways, reducing temperature deviations while maintaining compact stacking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cooling fins are strategically positioned to contact electrode leads at specific locations where heat generation is most intense. This local quality approach targets heat dissipation to the most critical areas, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the compact battery module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Temperature

If cooling fins are positioned to contact electrode leads, then cooling performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode leads serve multiple functions: electrical connection and heat dissipation. By positioning cooling fins to contact the electrode leads, the existing structural components are utilized for dual purposes, improving cooling performance without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling function is merged with the existing electrode lead structure. Instead of adding separate cooling components, the cooling fins integrate with the electrode leads, combining thermal management with the electrical connection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 minimizes temperature deviations and improves cooling performance by targeting excessive heat generation areas and simplifying heat transfer paths, thereby extending battery lifespan and reducing the risk of thermal-related issues.

Implementation Method 1

the cooling fin is disposed so as to come into contact with a region including one end portion of the battery cell in a direction in which the electrode lead protrudes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a thermal conductive resin layer in the battery pack to facilitate direct heat transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20230318078A1Battery module and battery pack including the same

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A battery module and a battery pack including the same are provided. The battery module includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, the battery cell including a protruding electrode lead, and a cooling fin located between the battery cells, the cooling fin being disposed so as to come into contact with a region including one end portion of the battery cell in a direction in which the electrode lead protrudes.