Liquid-Cooled Battery Module for Uniform Cell Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery cells in a module experience uneven temperature distribution during operation, leading to inconsistent performance due to non-uniform cooling.
Innovation Solution
A liquid-cooled assembly with a wavy cooling fin and U-shaped liquid-cooled tubes is used, where the tubes' openings are positioned to create opposite temperature gradients, ensuring consistent temperature distribution across the cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling methods are used for battery cells, then cooling is provided, but uniform temperature distribution is not achieved leading to performance inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fin is designed with different structures at different locations: the first cooling fin has a first structure matching the first battery cell's characteristics, while the second cooling fin has a second structure matching the second battery cell's characteristics. This localized adaptation ensures each battery cell receives optimized cooling tailored to its specific thermal requirements, achieving uniform temperature distribution across cells with different heat generation rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the cooling fins (structure, size, shape) to match the varying thermal characteristics of different battery cells. By adjusting cooling fin parameters according to each cell's heat generation rate, the system achieves consistent temperature control across all cells, resolving the contradiction between temperature uniformity and performance consistency.
2Temperature
If battery cells have different heat generation rates, then individual cooling needs arise, but conventional uniform cooling fails to address this variability
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is configured with different cooling fin structures for different battery cells based on their individual heat generation rates. High-heat-generation cells receive cooling fins with higher heat dissipation capacity, while low-heat-generation cells receive corresponding adjustments. This localized quality approach achieves effective cooling for each cell's specific needs without requiring overly complex system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling fins, each tailored to serve specific battery cells. This segmentation allows the system to address the varying thermal requirements of different cells independently, achieving effective cooling for heterogeneous heat generation patterns while maintaining a relatively simple overall system configuration.
3Reliability
If cooling fins are customized for different battery cells, then temperature consistency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes in cooling fin design where fins are differentiated by specific parameters (dimensions, shapes, structures) corresponding to battery cell heat generation rates. This approach achieves temperature consistency across cells while maintaining ease of manufacture by using systematic parameter variations rather than completely different designs, allowing for standardized manufacturing processes with adjustable parameters.
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 maintains consistent cooling effects and performance among battery cells, enhances cooling efficiency, reduces volume, and improves cycle life while being cost-effective and safe.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling fin is arranged between two adjacent rows and is connected to circumferential side surfaces of battery cells in the two adjacent rows
Implementation Method 2
one of the first opening and the second opening can serve as a liquid inlet, and the other one of the first opening and the second opening can serve as a liquid outlet. In the process of cooling, the temperature of the liquid inlet is the lowest, the temperature gradually increases as a liquid flows in the cooling tube
Implementation Method 3
the cooling fin is of a wavy structure, the wavy structure has a plurality of recesses defined on two opposite surfaces thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a battery module and an energy storage device. The battery module includes cylindrical cells arranged in at least two rows and a liquid-cooled assembly including at least one liquid-cooled unit each including a liquid-cooled tube and a cooling fin; the liquid-cooled tube includes a first tube arranged at an upper end of the cooling fin, a second tube, and a third tube arranged at a lower end of the cooling fin; the second tube connects one end of the first tube with one end of the third tube; the cooling fin is arranged between two adjacent rows and is connected to circumferential side surfaces of cells in the two adjacent rows; the first tube and the third tube each have an opening defined in another end thereof facing away from the second tube.