Battery Pack Module Heat Sink Layout to Prevent Thermal Propagation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery packs face challenges in preventing heat propagation between adjacent battery modules, which can lead to thermal runaway and safety issues.

Innovation Solution

The battery pack incorporates a pack frame with insulating members positioned between the bottom surface of each battery module and the pack frame, along with a heat sink on the bottom portion of each module frame, to minimize heat propagation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a cooling plate with high thermal conductivity is used to cool battery modules, then cooling performance is improved, but heat propagation between adjacent battery modules increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidheat propagation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The single cooling plate is divided into multiple independent cooling plates, each serving a specific battery module. This segmentation prevents heat propagation between modules while maintaining individual cooling effectiveness, as each cooling plate is thermally isolated from others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Thermal insulation structures are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent cooling plates and battery modules. These insulators block heat transfer paths while allowing the cooling plates to maintain their cooling function, thus mediating between the need for cooling and the need to prevent heat propagation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If battery modules are positioned close together to increase capacity, then energy density is improved, but thermal runaway risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into independent battery modules with individual cooling plates and insulation structures. This segmentation allows modules to be positioned closely for high capacity while maintaining thermal isolation through the insulation structures, preventing chain reactions during thermal events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Thermal insulation structures are pre-installed between adjacent battery modules as a preventive measure. These insulators act as thermal barriers that cushion against heat propagation before thermal runaway can occur, enabling safer high-density battery configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If a shared cooling plate is used for multiple battery modules, then device complexity is reduced, but heat propagation between modules occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling system structureVSAvoidheat propagation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling plates instead of using a single shared plate. While this increases the number of components, each cooling plate is simpler in design and can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing overall system complexity through modularity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling plates are merged with the battery module structures, forming integrated cooling assemblies. This merging reduces the need for separate mounting structures and simplifies the overall cooling system architecture while maintaining thermal isolation between modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This configuration effectively prevents heat propagation between adjacent battery modules, reducing the risk of thermal runaway and enhancing the safety and efficiency of the battery pack.

Implementation Method 1

an insulating member positioned between a bottom surface of each battery module of the plurality of battery modules and a bottom surface of the pack frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a heat sink that is positioned on a bottom portion of the module frame, the bottom portion of the module frame forms an upper plate of the heat sink, and the bottom portion of the module frame is in contact with refrigerant supplied in the heat sink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4148875B1Battery pack and device including the same

Publication Date: 2025.06.18 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

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AI summary

A battery pack an embodiment of the present invention includes: a pack frame in which a plurality of battery modules are mounted to be spaced apart from each other; and an insulating member positioned between a bottom surface of the battery module and a bottom surface of the pack frame, wherein the battery module includes a battery cell stack where a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a module frame that accommodates the battery cell stack, and a heat sink that is positioned on a bottom portion of the module frame, the bottom portion of the module frame forms an upper plate of the heat sink, and the bottom portion of the module frame is in contact with refrigerant supplied in the heat sink.