Heat Transfer Member Layout for Dense Battery Pack Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In battery packs with tightly arranged cells, existing technologies struggle to prevent thermal runaway and rapid heat transfer between cells, especially when the temperature of a specific cell exceeds the vaporization temperature of the working fluid in heat pipes, leading to potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design incorporating a heat transfer member with a cooling fluid introduction and discharge portion, featuring a refrigerant that undergoes phase transition to rapidly cool overheated cells, and a valve system controlled by temperature sensors to manage the flow of cooling fluid, preventing thermal runaway by isolating heat transfer between cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If battery cells are disposed in tight contact with each other to manufacture a battery pack having high energy density, then energy density is improved, but thermal propagation to adjacent battery cells occurs easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat transfer member with separate cooling fluid introduction and discharge portions, dividing the heat transfer function into distinct segments. This segmentation allows independent control of cooling fluid flow paths, enabling targeted cooling of specific battery cells while maintaining tight cell arrangement for high energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer member acts as an intermediary between battery cells and the cooling system. It receives cooling fluid through the introduction portion, transfers heat from adjacent battery cells, and discharges the heated fluid through the discharge portion, thereby preventing direct thermal propagation between cells while maintaining high energy density arrangement.
2Temperature
If a heat pipe is disposed between individual battery cells, then heat transfer capability is improved, but it is structurally difficult to prevent thermal runaway when temperature exceeds vaporization temperature of working fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic cooling system where cooling fluid can be actively pumped through the heat transfer member, allowing the system to adapt and respond to varying thermal conditions. This dynamic approach enables the system to maintain effective heat transfer and prevent thermal runaway even at temperatures exceeding traditional heat pipe working fluid vaporization points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the thermal management parameters by using a pump-driven cooling fluid circulation system instead of passive heat pipe operation. This allows control over cooling fluid flow rate, pressure, and temperature, enabling the system to maintain reliable thermal runaway prevention across a broader temperature range beyond the limitations of conventional heat pipe working fluids.
3Temperature
If cooling fluid is introduced into the heat transfer member, then cooling effect is improved, but system complexity increases due to valve system and temperature sensor control
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system incorporates temperature sensors that enable the heat transfer member to automatically detect and respond to thermal conditions of adjacent battery cells. The system self-regulates cooling fluid flow based on detected temperatures, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms while maintaining effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where temperature sensors monitor battery cell temperatures and provide information to control the valve system. This feedback loop allows the system to dynamically adjust cooling fluid flow based on actual thermal conditions, achieving effective cooling while managing system complexity through intelligent control rather than purely mechanical complexity.
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
Effectively prevents rapid temperature increases and thermal runaway in battery cells by rapidly cooling overheated cells, thereby enhancing safety and maintaining cell performance within a safe temperature range.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant that undergoes phase transition to rapidly cool overheated cells
Implementation Method 2
heat transfer member configured to allow a cooling fluid to be introduced thereinto and to be discharged therefrom to rapidly cool a high-temperature battery cell
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack including a battery cell stack of a plurality of battery cells, a cooling member configured to cool the battery cell stack, a heat transfer member configured to discharge heat from the plurality of battery cells to the cooling member, and a housing for battery cell stack, the cooling member, and the heat transfer member. The heat transfer member is provided with a cooling fluid introduction portion and a cooling fluid discharge portion. When the temperature of the battery cell is equal to or lower than a dangerous temperature, it is possible to adjust the temperature of each of the battery cells to a predetermined level, and when the temperature of the battery cell is higher than the dangerous temperature, it is possible to rapidly cool the battery cell.