Flexible Cooling Module for Cell Stack Expansion and Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical energy storage devices face challenges in simplifying manufacturing and optimizing functioning, particularly in cooling modules for cell stacks, which require efficient cooling and heating mechanisms to maintain optimal operating temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A cooling module with flexible, plate-like layers forming an outer casing, capable of varying thickness and including spacers to prevent flat contact, allowing for efficient heat transfer and fluid-tight connections, is designed to be used in cell stacks, enabling both cooling and warming functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If rigid cooling plates are used, then cooling efficiency is improved, but adaptability to cell expansion/contraction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling element uses flexible plate-like layers instead of rigid cooling plates. These flexible layers can deform and adapt to cell expansion and contraction while maintaining thermal contact, resolving the contradiction between cooling efficiency and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling element is designed with variable thickness and flexible structure that dynamically adapts to cell dimensional changes. The flexible layers can bend and deform to accommodate cell expansion during charging and contraction during discharging, maintaining consistent thermal coupling throughout the battery lifecycle.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform thickness cooling element is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but heat transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling element features variable thickness with different regions optimized for specific functions: thinner regions for flexibility and conformal contact, thicker regions for enhanced heat capacity and thermal management. This local variation in thickness improves heat transfer efficiency while remaining manufacturable through conventional forming processes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If flexible layers are connected rigidly, then structural stability is improved, but thermal expansion accommodation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral edge regions of the flexible layers are connected through fluid-tight sealing that accommodates thermal expansion and contraction. The sealing connection maintains structural integrity and fluid containment while allowing the flexible layers to deform with temperature and dimensional changes, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
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 enhances the manufacturing simplicity and operational efficiency of electrical energy storage devices by providing effective temperature control, ensuring reliable performance across varying ambient conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling element for receiving and passing on a coolant... the cooling element includes two plate-like flexible layers... efficient heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of electrical energy storage devices and in particular enables simplified manufacture and/or optimised operation thereof in that a cooling module, a cell stack, the entire electrical energy storage device and/or a method for cooling cells are optimised.