Immersion-Cooled Battery Module for Dense Pack Thermal Runaway Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cooling technologies face challenges in maintaining effective cooling performance, preventing thermal runaway, and optimizing energy density due to space and weight constraints, particularly in densely packed battery modules and packs.
Innovation Solution
An immersion-cooled battery module design that directly contacts battery cells with a cooling liquid, utilizing insulating blocks and connection members to enhance cooling efficiency and integrate fire extinguishing capabilities, while minimizing module volume and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If heat sink contacts only the lower edge portion of battery cells, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses liquid cooling instead of solid heat sink contact. A cooling liquid circulates through channels formed by the case and battery cell arrangement, providing superior cooling performance without complex heat sink structures. The liquid flow paths are defined by the spatial relationship between battery cells and case walls, eliminating the need for separate heat sink components.
2Temperature
If independent insulating oil pipes are provided for each battery cell stack case, then cooling performance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling functions of multiple battery cell stacks into a single integrated cooling system. The cooling liquid circulates through a common path that serves all battery cell stacks sequentially, eliminating the need for independent pipes for each stack. This reduces system complexity while maintaining effective cooling through the shared liquid cooling circuit.
3Temperature
If independent insulating oil pipes are provided for each battery cell stack case, then cooling performance is improved, but weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cooling circuits into a single integrated cooling loop that serves all battery cell stacks. This eliminates redundant piping, insulation materials, and associated components for each individual stack, significantly reducing the overall weight of the battery pack while maintaining effective thermal management across all cells.
4Quantity of substance
If battery cells are densely placed in limited space, then energy density is improved, but thermal runaway prevention becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs liquid cooling channels formed by the case and battery cell arrangement to provide intensive cooling to densely packed cells. The cooling liquid flows through paths that maximize heat extraction from each cell, preventing thermal runaway even in high-density configurations. The liquid cooling system provides superior heat removal capability compared to air cooling or heat sinks.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling liquid acts as an intermediary between the battery cells and the external environment, facilitating efficient heat transfer. The liquid absorbs heat from the battery cells through the case walls and transports it to external cooling components, enabling thermal management of densely packed cells without direct thermal coupling between adjacent cells.
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
Improves cooling performance, prevents thermal runaway, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances energy density by optimizing space utilization and integrating fire safety features.
Implementation Method 1
battery cells that can be cooled by direct contact with a cooling liquid
Implementation Method 2
a moving passage for the cooling liquid to move along both ends of the battery assembly in the third direction
Data Source
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AI summary
An immersion-cooled battery module according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a battery assembly including a plurality of battery units; a module case extending in a first direction, having an opening at least at one end in the first direction, and accommodating the battery assembly and a cooling liquid in an internal space connected to the opening; and a sealing cover airtightly covering the opening.