Battery Cooling Panel Insert for Uniform EV Cell Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium ion battery cells in electric vehicles face issues with accelerated deterioration due to uneven temperature distribution, which affects their performance and lifespan, requiring effective thermal management systems to maintain consistent temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A battery cooling panel with a polymeric material insert featuring cooling flow channels, enclosed by thin film sheets, provides uniform cooling and pressure distribution across battery cell surfaces, enhancing cooling efficiency while maintaining low costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used for battery thermal management, then cooling function is provided, but uneven temperature distribution occurs across battery cell surfaces leading to accelerated deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling panel incorporates a polymeric material insert with cooling flow channels that creates localized cooling zones directly at the battery cell contact points. This local quality approach ensures uniform heat dissipation across the entire battery surface by positioning cooling channels at strategic locations, preventing hot spots and temperature variations that would otherwise lead to uneven deterioration and reduced battery lifespan.
2Temperature
If complex thermal management systems are implemented to achieve uniform cooling, then temperature consistency improves, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the cooling panel structure with the battery module housing, integrating the polymeric material insert directly into the existing battery assembly. The cooling flow channels are formed as part of the panel structure itself, combining structural support and thermal management functions into a single integrated component. This merging approach achieves uniform temperature consistency without requiring separate, complex thermal management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling panel utilizes a polymeric material insert that functions as a flexible thermal management component. This thin film-like structure can conform to the battery cell surfaces and distribute cooling uniformly across the battery pack, achieving temperature consistency through a simple, lightweight design rather than complex rigid thermal management systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform pressure distribution is not achieved in cooling panels, then manufacturing is simpler, but cooling efficiency decreases due to poor contact with battery surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric material insert is designed with specific local properties including compliance and thermal conductivity tailored for optimal contact with battery surfaces. The material's local quality allows it to conform to slight variations in battery cell geometry, ensuring uniform pressure distribution and efficient thermal contact across the entire battery pack while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a single-piece molded construction.
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 achieves high cooling efficiency and uniform pressure distribution, improving battery performance and extending the lifespan of lithium ion battery cells in electric vehicles by effectively managing temperature variations.
Implementation Method 1
A battery cooling panel provides for uniform cooling and uniform pressure distribution across battery cell surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cooling panel and battery module are disclosed. In one example, the battery cooling panel includes a first outer panel defined as a first cooling fin with a first major surface configured to contact a battery cell. A second outer panel is secured to the first outer panel at an outer edge. A panel insert is positioned between the first outer panel and the second outer panel, the panel insert having a major surface with coolant flow channels. The battery module includes one or more battery cells in contact with the battery cooling panel, and is suitable for use as part of an electric vehicle system.