Nested Fluid Channel Battery Thermal Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temperature regulation systems for battery cells face challenges in maintaining uniform temperature across all cells within a battery pack, leading to increased component complexity, cost, and risk of fluid leakage, while also accelerating cell aging due to temperature fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A temperature regulation element featuring a metal body with heat-exchange surfaces and fluid channels, where a second fluid channel inside the first fluid channel gradually introduces thermal transfer fluid to maintain uniform temperature distribution, reducing temperature differences and extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple temperature regulation structures are used to maintain uniform temperature across battery cells, then temperature uniformity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single fluid channel is segmented into multiple flow paths through the use of partition walls and branching channels, allowing the thermal transfer fluid to be distributed to different battery cell regions. This segmentation enables uniform temperature regulation across multiple cells while using a single integrated temperature regulation element, avoiding the need for multiple separate structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature regulation element features nested fluid channels where second fluid channels are positioned inside first fluid channels, and third fluid channels are positioned inside second fluid channels. This nested structure allows multiple flow paths to be contained within a single element, providing comprehensive temperature regulation for multiple battery cells without increasing the number of external components or connections.
2Temperature
If multiple temperature regulation structures with multiple connections are implemented, then temperature regulation capability is improved, but risk of fluid leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fluid channels and flow paths are merged into a single integrated temperature regulation element. The first, second, and third fluid channels are all contained within the same element body, reducing the number of external connections and interfaces where fluid leakage could occur. The thermal transfer fluid flows through all channels via a single connection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested arrangement of fluid channels (second channels inside first channels, third channels inside second channels) creates a hierarchical structure where all channels are contained within a single element. This nesting reduces the number of external connections required and minimizes potential leakage points while maintaining the ability to regulate temperature across multiple battery cells.
3Power
If thermal transfer fluid flows rapidly through fluid channels, then cooling efficiency is improved, but temperature uniformity across battery cells deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid channel is segmented into multiple sections (first, second, and third channels with different flow rates) that can independently regulate fluid flow to different battery cell regions. This segmentation allows the system to optimize cooling efficiency in high-heat areas while providing gentler cooling in other areas, maintaining temperature uniformity across all cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic fluid flow control where the flow rate of thermal transfer fluid is adjusted differently in each fluid channel section. The first fluid channel has a first flow rate, the second channel has a second flow rate, and the third channel has a third flow rate, allowing adaptive temperature regulation that maintains uniformity while achieving efficient cooling where needed.
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 solution improves temperature uniformity across battery cells, optimizing thermal transfer fluid parameters, extending the operational life of battery cells, and allowing for faster charging and discharging while reducing premature cell replacement.
Implementation Method 1
The operational life of rechargeable battery cells depends to a large extent on the temperature of the battery cells during their life, and especially during use. To obtain the longest possible operational life, the operating temperature of the battery cells should be maintained on a certain level, or within a certain temperature range. Due to electrical resistance, recharging or discharging battery cells creates thermal energy, which has to be conducted away from the cells as effectively as possible to maintain the battery cell temperature close to optimum.
Implementation Method 2
Temperature regulation of battery modules is performed by placing the battery cells into thermal contact with temperature regulation elements having channels in which thermal transfer fluid flows. Providing even temperature to all battery cells within a battery pack has turned out to be challenging.
Implementation Method 3
fluid distribution means forming a second fluid channel is positioned inside the first fluid channel for providing thermal transfer fluid gradually into the first fluid channel along the length of the first fluid channel
Data Source
Figure 1A~3D
Figure 4A~6B
Figure 7A~8C
AI summary
A temperature regulation element for a battery cell (2) is disclosed. It comprises a metal body (1) comprising at least one heat-exchange surface (11) for making thermal contact with a battery cell (2); at least one first fluid channel (3) with an inlet end (31) and an outlet end (32) for thermal transfer fluid to flow in, wherein the first fluid channel (3) extends inside the body (1). The temperature regulation element is characterized in that fluid distribution means (4) forming a second fluid channel (41) is positioned inside the first fluid channel (3) for providing thermal transfer fluid gradually into the first fluid channel (3) along the length of the first fluid channel (3). A battery module and a battery pack are also disclosed.