Embedded Micro-Evaporator Electrode for Battery Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium-ion batteries face challenges with overheating, occasional bursting into flames, and high costs, while existing thermal management solutions increase battery pack size and are inefficient in heat exchange.
Innovation Solution
An electrode with an embedded micro evaporator cooling circuit, featuring micro channels within a conductive material layer, provides efficient internal cooling by evaporation of a cooling fluid, preventing overheating and fire risks without enlarging the battery pack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external cooling structures such as coolant jackets are added to batteries, then thermal management capability is improved, but battery pack volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are merged with the electrode structure itself, integrating the thermal management function directly into the electrode layers. This eliminates the need for separate external cooling jackets and reduces overall battery pack volume while maintaining effective heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channels are nested within the electrode layers, with microchannels embedded inside the conductive material layers. This nested arrangement allows the cooling system to occupy space already allocated for electrodes, avoiding additional volume increase.
2Temperature
If cooling fluid flow rate is increased to improve heat exchange efficiency, then thermal management performance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes capillary pressure and surface tension effects within the microchannels to drive cooling fluid flow, reducing or eliminating the need for high-power pumps. The microchannel geometry is designed to optimize natural convection and capillary-driven flow, improving heat exchange while minimizing pumping energy requirements.
3Quantity of substance
If battery capacity is increased to extend vehicle range, then energy storage capability is improved, but heat generation increases leading to overheating risks
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is segmented into multiple electrode layers with distributed cooling channels throughout. This segmentation allows heat to be dissipated locally at multiple points rather than concentrating in one area, enabling higher overall capacity while maintaining effective temperature control across the entire battery assembly.
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 embedded cooling circuit effectively regulates battery temperature, preventing damage and fire, while maintaining compact size, and can be applied to various heat-producing devices for efficient thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
the electrode comprises at least one micro evaporator having an evaporator inlet for receiving a cooling fluid and an evaporator outlet for removing the cooling fluid after evaporation
Implementation Method 2
Heat sinking properties of the cooling circuit are very efficient during fluid phase changes such as melting or evaporation
Data Source
AI summary
The present document relates to an electrode for use in a layered device structure, the electrode comprising at least one layer of conductive material, wherein the electrode comprises at least one micro evaporator having an evaporator inlet for receiving a cooling fluid and an evaporator outlet for removing the cooling fluid after evaporation, wherein the micro evaporator includes a plurality of micro channels forming an evaporation volume, the micro channels being embedded in the layer of conductive material. The present document further relates to a battery design including such an electrode.