Immersion Battery Cell Holder With Shell Channels for Uniform Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery cell thermal management systems face inefficiencies due to non-uniform cooling, limited thermal contact areas, and excessive weight, particularly with flexible foils and cuboid structures, leading to suboptimal performance and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A battery cell holder comprising a first and second shell with attachable holding elements and thermal management channels, designed to securely hold battery cells and facilitate uniform thermal management using a dielectric fluid, enhancing contact area and structural stability while reducing weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If flexible foil is used for thermal management, then the structure can be integrated with battery cells, but the thermal contact area is limited and placement is complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration with battery cellsVSAvoidthermal contact area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal management system is segmented into modular shell units with integrated holding elements, allowing each module to be independently manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation enables the thermal management structure to adapt to different battery cell arrangements while maintaining large thermal contact areas through the shell's extended surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If cuboid hollow body structure is used, then battery cells can be regularly arranged, but the structure has large weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregular arrangement of battery cellsVSAvoidstructure weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin-walled shell structures with optimized wall thickness that maintain structural integrity while minimizing weight. The shell design incorporates ribs and reinforcing elements strategically placed to provide necessary mechanical strength without adding excessive weight, achieving a balance between structural stability and weight reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If holding elements are integrated into shells, then structural stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding elements are merged with the shell structure to form an integrated component. The shell itself is designed with built-in holding features such as recesses, protrusions, or integrated clamps that secure battery cells without requiring separate holding devices. This merging reduces the total number of parts and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Temperature

If thermal management channels are provided in shells, then thermal management efficiency is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal management efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shell structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support and containment, integrates holding elements for battery cell securing, and incorporates thermal management channels for heat dissipation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall structure while improving thermal management efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution provides a larger thermal contact area, flexible and efficient thermal management, increased structural stability, and faster charging/discharging capabilities with reduced weight, ensuring safer battery operation.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal management fluid can be applied to the inner space for thermal management, preferably cooling the battery cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4576326A1Battery cell holder for thermal management of a plurality of battery cells
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 RÖCHLING AUTOMOTIVE SE
  • EP4576326A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4576326A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4576326A1 patent drawing

AI summary

This invention relates to a battery cell holder for thermal management, in particular for immersion thermal management, of a plurality of battery cells, comprising a first shell, a second shell, wherein the first shell and the second shell are attachable to each other forming a sealed inner space for arranging a plurality of battery cells within said inner space and wherein a thermal management fluid can be applied to the inner space for thermal management, preferably cooling the battery cells, wherein a) at least one holding element separated from the first and second shell being adapted to fix a position of at least two of said plurality of battery cells and/or wherein b) the first shell and/or the second shell are provided with fixing elements adapted to provide a fixing function for said plurality of battery cells, wherein the first shell and/or the second shell comprise at least one thermal management channel for thermal management of at least a part of the battery cells fixed by the first shell and/or the second shell.