Modular Vehicle Battery Housing With Coolant Passageways

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transportation vehicles face challenges in safely and effectively storing increasing electric power needs, particularly with chemical battery systems, which generate significant heat and require efficient cooling solutions to manage heat loads and reduce charging time, while also needing modular and economical designs for power storage.

Innovation Solution

A modular vehicle power storage system comprising power storage modules with a housing defining a power storage cavity and a fluid passageway for thermal communication with coolant, allowing for efficient heat management and modular connectivity between modules, with a cooling system that circulates fluid coolant through the modules to reject heat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If chemical battery systems are used to meet increasing electric power needs, then power storage capacity is improved, but heat generation increases and safety challenges arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower storage capacityVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is divided into multiple individual battery modules, each with its own housing and coolant circulation capability. This segmentation allows heat to be managed at the module level, preventing heat accumulation and improving safety while maintaining high power storage capacity across the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coolant fluid acts as an intermediary substance that absorbs heat generated by the battery modules. The coolant circulates through channels in the housing, transferring thermal energy from the battery modules to a heat exchanger, thereby managing heat loads effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional non-modular power storage designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to changing power storage requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to power storage requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is designed as an assembly of standardized, interchangeable modules. Each module can be independently manufactured and then configured in different arrangements to meet varying power storage requirements, providing both manufacturing simplicity and system adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular battery modules are designed with universal interfaces and standardized housings that can be used across different applications and configurations. This universality allows the same basic module design to serve multiple functions and adapt to changing power storage needs without requiring complete redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If modular battery modules are used, then adaptability and maintainability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodular configurabilityVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

While segmentation into modules does increase structural complexity, it enables standardized interfaces and assembly procedures that simplify overall system integration. The modular design allows complex battery systems to be built from simpler, repeatable unit modules with consistent connection protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If battery modules operate at high power output, then productivity is improved, but heat load increases and charging time extends

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower outputVSAvoidcharging time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The coolant circulation system operates continuously to remove heat during both charging and discharging operations. This continuous thermal management enables the battery modules to maintain high power output and accept higher charging rates without thermal accumulation, effectively reducing charging time while sustaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 modular system effectively manages heat loads, reduces charging time, and allows for partial module replacement, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of power storage while minimizing costs and infrastructure requirements.

Implementation Method 1

The casing may define a fluid passageway through the housing, the fluid passageway being separate from the power storage cavity and formed to pass fluid coolant in thermal communication to receive heat from the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20240421406A1Devices systems and methods for vehicle power storage

Publication Date: 2024.12.19 VOLKSWAGEN AG

AI summary

Devices, systems, and methods concerning vehicle modular power storage can include a number of power storage modules comprising power storage materials, each power storage module including a housing defining a power storage cavity therein for receiving power storage materials, the housing including a casing defining a fluid passageway through the housing, the fluid passageway being separate from the power storage cavity and formed to pass fluid coolant in thermal communication to receive heat from the housing.