Outward Beads for Battery Pack Coolant Uniformity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing middle- or large-sized battery pack cases with inwardly-protruding beads disrupt coolant flow, leading to nonuniform coolant distribution and increased temperature differences between battery cells, which affects the performance and lifespan of the battery pack.
Innovation Solution
The battery pack case features outwardly-protruding concavo-convex beads that minimize structural instability while improving coolant flux uniformity, allowing for effective heat removal through the use of a coolant inlet port and outlet port disposed perpendicular to the battery cell stacking direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If inwardly-protruding beads are formed in the battery pack case to improve structural stability, then structural stability against external force is improved, but coolant flow distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional inwardly-protruding bead structure into an outwardly-protruding bead structure. This inversion resolves the technical contradiction by moving the beads outside the coolant flow path, thereby maintaining structural stability while eliminating the disruption to coolant flow distribution uniformity.
2Reliability
If beads are formed in the inlet duct to enhance structural durability, then durability against twist or vibration is improved, but coolant flux distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inversion principle by relocating the beads from inside the inlet duct to the outer surface of the battery pack case. This allows the beads to provide durability against twist or vibration without interfering with the coolant flux distribution uniformity, as they are now positioned outside the fluid flow path.
3Strength
If inwardly-protruding beads are used to increase structural stability, then resistance to external force is improved, but temperature difference between battery cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the bead structure to protrude outwardly rather than inwardly, the patent maintains structural stability while eliminating the coolant flow disruption that causes nonuniform cooling and temperature differences between battery cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of beads (which disrupt coolant flow when inwardly-protruding) into a beneficial configuration where outwardly-protruding beads provide structural stability without interfering with coolant flow, thus improving overall cooling uniformity.
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 design enhances coolant distribution uniformity, maintaining structural stability and improving cooling efficiency, thereby extending the life and performance of the battery cells.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant for cooling the battery cells can flow from one side to the other side of the battery module
Implementation Method 2
the beads being constructed in an outwardly-protruding structure to allow the coolant to be uniformly introduced into the battery module from the coolant inlet port in the advancing direction of a fluid in a flow space
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery pack case in which a battery module having a plurality of stacked battery cells, which can be charged and discharged, is mounted, wherein the battery pack case is provided with a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port, which are disposed such that a coolant for cooling the battery cells can flow from one side to the other side of the battery module in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells, and the battery pack case is further provided with beads formed in a concavo-convex shape for improving the structural stability of the battery pack case against an external force, the beads being constructed in an outwardly-protruding structure to allow the coolant to be uniformly introduced into the battery module from the coolant inlet port in the advancing direction of a fluid in a flow space ("inlet duct") defined between the coolant inlet port and the battery module.