Modular Battery Pack Layout for Adaptive Output and Uniform Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face challenges in providing adaptive capacity and output according to demand, with non-uniform cooling leading to temperature dispersion among battery cells.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring unit cells with serial-parallel current collector connections, individualized unit cooling plates, and heat transfer sheets for uniform cooling, along with a simplified electrical connection structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple battery cells are connected in a pack to increase output voltage and current, then the power and capacity are improved, but the cooling uniformity deteriorates due to temperature dispersion among cells
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple unit blocks, each containing a specific number of unit cells arranged in serial-parallel combinations. Each unit block is independently cooled by dedicated unit cooling plates with individual inlet and outlet channels, segmenting the cooling system to match the electrical segmentation and ensuring uniform temperature distribution across all cells.
Solution Approach 2:
Each unit cooling plate is individually designed with specific inlet and outlet channels positioned to match the thermal characteristics of its corresponding unit block. The cooling channels are locally optimized to distribute coolant uniformly across the cells in each block, providing tailored cooling solutions for different regions of the battery pack.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex electrical connection structures are used to achieve serial-parallel combinations, then the adaptability for different capacity and output requirements is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is segmented into three types of current collector plates: first-type for parallel connections within unit cells, second-type for serial connections between unit cells, and third-type for forming parallel cell streams. This segmentation allows flexible configuration of serial-parallel combinations to achieve different capacity and output requirements while maintaining modular simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The current collector plates are designed with universal functionality where the same basic structure (third-type plates forming parallel streams) serves multiple purposes: electrical connection, mechanical support, and thermal management integration. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
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 adaptive capacity and output adjustment while ensuring uniform cooling without temperature dispersion, enhancing performance and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling flow path with the inlet and the outlet provided at opposite ends of the cooling flow path, and the cooling flow path extends from the outer edge of the unit cooling plate toward an inner edge of the unit cooling plate
Implementation Method 2
The cooling flow path may include a bent portion in a U-shape at an inner edge position of the unit cooling plate
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack according to the present disclosure is designed to adaptively provide a capacity and an output according to demands for a battery pack. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells and has a simplified electrical connection structure among the plurality of battery cells such that a cooling structure for the plurality of battery cells may have uniform cooling without temperature dispersion.