Heat Pipe Battery Terminal for Electrical Tab Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy storage cells in battery modules of work machines experience overheating due to heat generation at connections between electrical tabs and electrodes, which can affect performance and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a terminal with a heat pipe that includes a shank portion engageable with the electrical tab and a closed cavity containing a working fluid. The working fluid receives heat from the electrical tab, vaporizes, and transfers heat to the head portion of the heat pipe, where it condenses and is drained back to the region, effectively cooling the energy storage cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical terminals are used to connect electrical tabs to electrodes, then electrical connection is achieved, but heat accumulates at the connection points causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat pipe as an intermediary component between the electrical tab and the dissipation path. This heat pipe absorbs heat from the electrical tab connection point and transfers it away, acting as a thermal mediator that decouples the electrical connection function from the heat accumulation problem
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the heat dissipation function from the conventional electrical terminal by integrating a heat pipe structure. The heat pipe selectively removes heat from the connection region while maintaining electrical conductivity, separating the thermal management function from the electrical connection function
2Temperature
If heat dissipation structures are added to cooling the energy storage cells, then temperature control improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical terminal function with the heat dissipation function into a single integrated component. The terminal structure incorporates a heat pipe that simultaneously provides electrical connection and thermal management, eliminating the need for separate cooling structures
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an electrical connector and as a heat dissipation device. The heat pipe integrated into the terminal structure performs dual roles: conducting electrical current and actively managing thermal heat from the connection points
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 system maintains the working temperature of energy storage cells within a safe range, preventing overheating and extending the lifespan of the cells while ensuring efficient operation of the work machines.
Implementation Method 1
The working fluid is configured to receive heat from the electrical tab at a region where the shank portion engages with the electrical tab to be vaporized and urged through the hollow structure to reach up to a section of the closed cavity
Implementation Method 2
The working fluid is configured to receive heat from the electrical tab at a region where the shank portion engages with the electrical tab to be vaporized and urged through the hollow structure to reach up to a section of the closed cavity
Implementation Method 3
The working fluid is configured to release the heat to the head portion at the section of the closed cavity to be condensed and drained through the draining structure to return to the region
Implementation Method 4
The working fluid is configured to release the heat to the head portion at the section of the closed cavity to be condensed
Data Source
AI summary
A system, for maintaining a working temperature of an energy storage cell of a battery module, includes a terminal. The terminal includes a heat pipe that defines a head portion and a shank portion. The shank portion is engageable with an electrical tab of the energy storage cell and defines a closed cavity having a hollow structure and a draining structure. Also, the system includes a working fluid contained within the closed cavity. The working fluid is configured to: receive heat from the electrical tab at a region where the shank portion engages with the electrical tab to be vaporized and urged through the hollow structure to reach up to a section of the closed cavity; and release the heat to the head portion at the section of the closed cavity to be condensed and drained through the draining structure to return to the region.