Hollow Central Core Battery Casing for Thermal Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium electrochemical generators face overheating issues during abnormal operations, such as accidental overloads or short-circuits, leading to potential explosions and the release of harmful chemicals, due to inadequate heat dissipation within the rigid packaging of lithium-ion batteries.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a hollow central core made of high-melting-point material, such as aluminum, within the battery casing that allows for air circulation and passive cooling elements, enhancing heat dissipation by natural convection and additional thermal exchange, while preventing short-circuits through an electrically insulating coating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid packaging is used to contain the electrochemical cell, then the battery structure is stable and sealed, but heat dissipation is inadequate leading to overheating during abnormal operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid packaging is segmented by introducing a hollow central core that divides the internal space, creating separate regions for the electrochemical cell and the cooling air circulation path. This segmentation allows the packaging to maintain structural integrity while enabling effective heat dissipation through the hollow core channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the packaging is completely sealed, then tightness is maintained over time, but heat accumulation occurs inside the case during abnormal operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing tightnessVSAvoidheat accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow central core acts as an intermediary element that introduces cooling air from the external environment into the sealed packaging. This intermediary structure enables thermal exchange with the outside world while maintaining the sealed integrity of the packaging, allowing heat to be carried away by the circulating air through the hollow core.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If a hollow central core is introduced for cooling, then heat dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidpackaging structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow central core is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural support element during the winding process, provides a cooling air circulation channel for heat dissipation, and serves as a permanent feature of the packaging structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate cooling components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Strength

If the central core is made of metal for structural strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but electrical short-circuit risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidshort-circuit risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The central core is constructed using composite materials: a metal substrate providing mechanical strength and structural integrity, coated with an electrically insulating material that prevents electrical short-circuits. This composite structure combines the advantages of both materials, maintaining mechanical strength while eliminating the electrical conductivity hazard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 design significantly improves heat dissipation within the battery, reducing the risk of thermal runaway and explosions, while maintaining the battery's functionality during abnormal operations by utilizing air gaps and passive cooling elements for efficient heat management.

Implementation Method 1

allows for air circulation and passive cooling elements, enhancing heat dissipation by natural convection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNatural convection: Free Convection

Implementation Method 2

enhancing heat dissipation by natural convection and additional thermal exchange

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2984697B1Lithium electrochemical storage battery having a casing providing improved thermal dissipation, associated battery pack and production processes

Publication Date: 2017.07.26 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6A
Figure 6B~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a lithium electrochemical storage battery (A) comprising: at least one electrochemical cell (C); two current collectors, one of which is connected to the anode and the other to the cathode; and a casing (6) of longitudinal axis X, the casing comprising a cap (9), a bottom (8), a lateral jacket (7) joined both to the bottom (8) and to the cap (9), and a central core (10) arranged along the axis X, the central core (10) being hollow at least over some of its height and made of a material the melting point of which is higher than the temperature reached by the cell when it malfunctions, the hollow portion (11, 12) of the central core (10) opening onto the exterior of the casing via the bottom (8) and/or the cap (9) and the central core (10) having, at at least one end of its hollow portion, an internal thread (14) into which an external thread of a part forming one pole of the storage battery may be screwed.