Modular Battery Cell Assembly With Integrated Coolant Flow Path

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery packs face difficulties in reconfiguring their overall capacity in response to changing requirements, and they lack efficient cooling mechanisms for battery cell assemblies.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design that allows for adjustable installation of battery cell assemblies within a frame, featuring a channel part with insertion holes and a connector system, and includes a cover part with a cooling member to enhance cooling efficiency by forming a flow path for coolant.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a battery module is formed as a unibody with a fixed number of battery cells, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the overall capacity cannot be reconfigured in response to changing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereconfigurability of battery pack capacityVSAvoidstructural complexity of battery module
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple independent battery cell assemblies, each with its own cover part and cooling member. These assemblies can be independently installed or removed from the battery pack, allowing flexible reconfiguration of the overall capacity without affecting the structural integrity of individual modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery pack design allows dynamic adjustment of the number of battery cell assemblies installed based on changing requirements. The frame structure with guide parts and insertion holes enables easy addition or removal of assemblies, providing adaptability while maintaining structural stability through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Temperature

If battery cells are connected in series to form a battery cell assembly, then the voltage requirements are met, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient without dedicated cooling mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiency of battery cell assemblyVSAvoidstructural complexity of cover part
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling member is integrated into the cover part structure, merging the cooling function with the protective housing. This combination provides effective cooling for the battery cells while avoiding the need for separate cooling systems, thus improving thermal management without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling member is positioned to directly contact the battery cell assembly at specific locations where heat generation occurs. This localized cooling approach targets the thermal management needs of individual cell assemblies, improving cooling efficiency without requiring a complex system-wide cooling infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If multiple battery cell assemblies are installed in the battery pack, then the overall capacity increases, but the heat dissipation becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of battery cell assembliesVSAvoidheat dissipation management
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Each battery cell assembly has its own dedicated cooling member within the cover part, providing localized thermal management. This segmentation of cooling functions ensures that heat dissipation is handled effectively at each assembly level, preventing heat accumulation even when multiple assemblies are installed in the battery pack.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables flexible capacity adjustment and improved cooling efficiency of battery cell assemblies, effectively managing heat dissipation and accommodating varying demands.

Implementation Method 1

a cover part forming a cover inner space configured to accommodate the battery cell and the pad, wherein the cover part may include a first cover in contact with one surface of the pad, and a second cover coupled to the first cover, wherein the second cover being in contact with other surface of the battery cell, and the second cover may include a cooling member forming at least a portion of an outer surface of the second cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4407769A1Battery cell assembly and battery pack including the same
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 SK ON CO LTD
  • EP4407769A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4407769A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4407769A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosed technology relates to a battery cell assembly (200) and a battery pack (10) including the same. More particularly, the disclosed technology relates to a battery cell assembly (200) with improved cooling efficiency and a battery pack (10) that can control the number of battery cell assemblies installed in the battery pack (10) and increase cooling effect of the battery cell assembly (200).