Fluidic Stirring Device for Battery Temperature Homogenization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal management solutions for electric batteries often fail to maintain uniform temperature across the battery cells, leading to potential degradation and inefficiencies in energy storage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fluidic stirring device within the battery module, which is electrically connected and self-controlled to activate when the temperature exceeds a predefined threshold, ensuring efficient thermal homogenization by circulating a fluid, such as air or liquid, among the cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If natural convection of air is used for thermal management, then thermal homogenization is achieved, but temperature uniformity across cells is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluidic stirring device that circulates fluid (gas or liquid) through the battery cell assembly. This hydraulic/pneumatic system actively moves the thermal management fluid through channels and passages, creating forced convection that significantly improves heat distribution and temperature uniformity across all cells, overcoming the limitations of passive natural convection.
2Temperature
If forced air circulation is implemented, then heat exchange is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic stirring device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a thermal management system for heat exchange, provides structural support as part of the cell assembly, and enables both cooling and heating operations. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by combining several thermal control functions into a single integrated device rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
3Temperature
If dielectric fluid with forced circulation is used, then thermal homogenization is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic stirring device operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The system activates the fluid circulation when thermal homogenization is needed (such as during charging/discharging operations that generate heat) and deactivates it when thermal management is not required. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous circulation while maintaining effective thermal homogenization when needed.
4Temperature
If thermal management devices are added to each cell, then temperature control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery system into modular cell assemblies, each with its own integrated fluidic stirring device. This segmentation allows each cell or small group of cells to be manufactured and tested independently with standardized thermal management components, simplifying the overall manufacturing process. The modular design enables parallel production and easier assembly, reducing manufacturing complexity despite the presence of multiple thermal management devices.
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 solution effectively maintains optimal temperature ranges across the battery cells, enhancing thermal management and reducing the risk of degradation, while being easily integratable into existing battery designs without external communication links.
Implementation Method 1
solutions based on the circulation of a forced air flow inside the casing, or even solutions based on the provision, in the casing, of a dielectric fluid in direct contact with the cells, with or without forced circulation to an outdoor heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
the control circuit comprises a thermal switch adapted to activate the stirring device when the temperature exceeds a first predefined temperature threshold
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present description relates to an electric battery module comprising a plurality of elementary storage cells, and at least one fluidic mixing cell (151) having the same general shape and substantially the same dimensions as the elementary storage cells.