Fluid Cushion Battery Pack Pressure Control Without Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery systems face challenges in reducing size due to the need for a fluid supply device to exert pressure on battery cells, which complicates size reduction and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A battery system that controls the state of charge and temperature of battery cells based on the internal pressure of a fluid cushion, eliminating the need for a fluid supply device by regulating pressure through these means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a fluid supply device such as a pump is used to exert pressure on battery cells, then the pressure control is achieved, but the system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fluid supply device (pump) from the system entirely. Instead of using an active pumping mechanism to control pressure, the invention extracts this component and replaces it with a passive fluid cushion system where pressure is naturally regulated by the physical expansion and contraction of the cushion material in response to battery cell state changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid cushion system operates autonomously without requiring external active control. The cushion automatically adjusts its pressure by expanding when battery cells contract during charging and contracting when battery cells expand during discharging, eliminating the need for pumps, valves, or other active fluid supply components.
2Stress or pressure
If a fluid supply device is used to regulate pressure, then pressure control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex fluid supply device including pumps, valves, and control mechanisms. The pressure control function is achieved through the simple physical interaction between the fluid cushion and battery cells, eliminating mechanical complexity while maintaining pressure regulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical fluid supply system with a thermodynamic approach. Instead of using mechanical pumps and valves to control fluid pressure, the system uses the natural thermal and pressure changes of the fluid cushion in response to battery cell state variations to achieve pressure control.
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
Enables size reduction and uniform pressure exertion on battery cells without a fluid supply device, enhancing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The cell thickness of the battery cells increases as the state of charge increases, and decreases as the state of charge decreases
Implementation Method 2
controls at least one of the state of charge and the temperature of the battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a battery module including a cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells, and a pair of end plates arranged at both ends of the cell stack in the stacking direction, in which a fluid cushion is arranged either between the battery cells, or between the battery cells and the end plates, or both; a pressure acquisition unit; and a battery cell control unit. The cell thickness of the battery cells increases as the state of charge increases, and decreases as the state of charge decreases. The pressure acquisition unit acquires the internal pressure of the fluid cushion. The battery cell control unit controls at least one of the state of charge and temperature of the battery cells, based on the internal pressure of the fluid cushion.