Flexible Bladder Battery Support with Diverging Flow Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rigid retention devices in electrified vehicle traction batteries are unable to accommodate the significant expansion and contraction of battery cells during cycling, leading to inadequate support and potential thermal management issues.

Innovation Solution

A flexible bladder device with a fluid flow path that diverges and converges around the battery cell, using peristaltic pumps to manage fluid flow and thermal energy, allowing for expansion and contraction while maintaining support and thermal management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If rigid retention devices are used to support battery cells, then structural support is provided, but the devices cannot accommodate expansion and contraction of battery cells during cycling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of battery cell expansion and contractionVSAvoidstructural support capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible bladder device that circumferentially surrounds the battery cell. The bladder is made of elastomeric material that can flex and deform to accommodate battery cell expansion and contraction during cycling while maintaining continuous contact and support. This flexible shell approach resolves the contradiction by providing both adaptability to volume changes and structural support through the tension of the elastomeric material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The retention system transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible bladder that can change its volume and shape in response to battery cell expansion and contraction. The bladder's dynamic capability allows it to adapt its internal volume while maintaining supportive contact, resolving the contradiction between fixed structural support and adaptive accommodation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Temperature

If rigid retention devices are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but thermal management capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible bladder device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support through its elastomeric tension, accommodates volume changes during cycling, and enables thermal management through integrated fluid circulation. By combining these functions into a single multi-functional component, the patent achieves improved thermal management without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a fluid circulation system with inlet and outlet conduits that pass through the elastomeric bladder material. Fluid can flow through channels within the bladder to provide active thermal management by removing heat from the battery cell. This hydraulic approach integrates thermal management capability into the retention device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 flexible bladder device effectively supports battery cells during expansion and contraction, while also managing thermal energy through fluid circulation, enhancing the stability and efficiency of the traction battery.

Implementation Method 1

transferring thermal energy between the fluid and the battery cell to manage thermal energy within the at least one battery cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The pump is a peristaltic pump upstream from where the fluid flow path diverges

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeristalsis: Peristalsis

Data Source

PatentUS10224525B2Battery support assembly and method with a diverging flow path

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

An exemplary battery support assembly includes a bladder device with a pocket that receives at least one battery cell of a traction battery. The bladder provides a fluid flow path that diverges at an end of the pocket into a first section on a first side of the pocket and a second section on an opposing, second side of the pocket. An exemplary battery support method includes moving a flow of fluid along a fluid flow path toward at least one battery cell; and diverging the flow into a first or second section of the fluid flow path such that the flow moves along opposing sides of the at least one battery cell.