Integrated Cooling Plates for EV Battery Thermal Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

During rapid charging of electric vehicle batteries, high thermal power generation poses a challenge for effective heat management, as existing cooling systems often struggle to efficiently transfer heat away from battery cells due to limited exchange surfaces.

Innovation Solution

The proposed cooling system incorporates multiple U-shaped cooling plates arranged around the battery module, with integrated heat transfer fluid distribution within structural members, allowing for increased exchange surfaces and simplified fluid circulation with a single inlet and outlet, enhancing thermal management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If multiple cooling plates are added to increase exchange surfaces, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple cooling plates (first cooling plate in thermal contact with bottom face, second cooling plate in thermal contact with side face) into a unified cooling system that shares common fluid circulation pathways. The structural member integrates both cooling plates and fluid connectors, merging what would otherwise be separate cooling devices into a single integrated assembly that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high heat transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The structural member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the battery module, integrates the cooling plates through thermal contact, incorporates fluid connectors for heat transfer fluid circulation, and facilitates both cooling of the bottom face and side face. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing device complexity while achieving effective thermal management.

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

2Temperature

If multiple fluid inlets and outlets are added to serve multiple cooling plates, then heat transfer coverage is improved, but fluid circulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer coverageVSAvoidfluid circulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple fluid circulation systems into a single integrated fluid circuit. The structural member contains internal passages that allow heat transfer fluid to flow sequentially or simultaneously through both the first cooling plate (bottom face) and second cooling plate (side face). This integration reduces the number of external fluid connectors and simplifies the fluid circulation system while maintaining comprehensive thermal coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The structural member acts as an intermediary that mediates between the external fluid source and multiple cooling plates. It incorporates internal fluid distribution passages that receive heat transfer fluid from a single inlet and distribute it to both cooling plates, then collect the warmed fluid and discharge it through a single outlet. This intermediary function simplifies fluid circulation while ensuring both cooling plates receive adequate cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively increases heat transfer efficiency, managing thermal power generated during rapid charging by multiplying exchange surfaces and simplifying fluid circulation, thereby maintaining optimal battery performance and safety.

Implementation Method 1

each of these plates being in thermal contact respectively with one of the said faces of the housing so as to cool the storage module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

an internal heat transfer fluid circuit comprising at least two cooling plates in which the heat transfer fluid can circulate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3753065B1System for cooling motor vehicle battery cells
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 VALEO SYST THERMIQUES SAS
  • EP3753065B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooling system (1) for a module for storing electrical energy, said system comprising: a housing (4) arranged so as to receive an electrical energy storage module (2) comprising at least one battery cell, said housing comprising a bottom face (5) and at least one side face (6) which is, in particular, substantially perpendicular to the bottom face, preferably said faces connecting to each other; an inner heat-transfer fluid circuit (10); a fluid connection (310; 31) arranged so as to connect the inner heat-transfer fluid circuit to a heat-transfer fluid circuit external to the cooling system; and a structural body (40) arranged so as to carry out a mechanical function, said structural body being different from the cooling plates. In said system, the fluid connection is mounted on said structural element.