Partially Submerged Battery Cells for Vehicle Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy-storage systems for electric vehicles face issues such as large size, inefficiency, poor safety, and inadequate thermal management, as well as vulnerability to crash forces and electrical imbalances.
Innovation Solution
A cooling subsystem with a coolant section and a non-coolant section, where battery cells have coated and non-coated portions, and a retainer forms a seal to prevent coolant flow, allowing for efficient heat management and protection from impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional thermal management schemes are used, then cooling capability is provided, but system size and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the thermal management function with the battery cell structure itself by coating portions of the battery cells with thermally conductive material, eliminating the need for separate cooling subsystems and reducing overall system size while maintaining effective heat dissipation
Solution Approach 2:
The battery cells perform their own thermal management function through the coated portions that directly dissipate heat, making the system self-cooling without requiring external thermal management components
2Temperature
If battery cells are fully submerged in coolant, then thermal management is improved, but risk of short circuits and electrical imbalances increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the battery cell by coating only specific portions with thermally conductive material, allowing effective cooling at the coated areas while leaving other areas electrically isolated and safe from coolant contact
Solution Approach 2:
The battery cell is divided into coated and non-coated portions, with the coated portions handling thermal management and the non-coated portions maintaining electrical safety, creating a segmented functional approach
3Temperature
If larger cooling subsystems are added, then thermal management capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management function is merged into the battery cell structure through coatings, eliminating the need for separate pumps, reservoirs, and complex cooling circuits, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining thermal management capability
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
The solution results in a compact, efficient, and safer energy-storage system with uniform temperature maintenance, reduced risk of short circuits, and improved battery cell balance, enhancing overall performance and stability.
Implementation Method 1
the retainer forming a seal around the plurality of battery cells, the seal preventing the flow of coolant from the coolant section to the non-coolant section
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of battery cells having a coated portion and a non-coated portion, the coated portion being disposed in the coolant section
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are cooling subsystems for energy-storage systems comprising: a coolant section having a coolant circulated therein; a non-coolant section having a fluid other than the coolant disposed therein; a plurality of battery cells having a coated portion and a non-coated portion, the coated portion being disposed in the coolant section, and the non-coated portion being disposed in the non-coolant section. Some embodiments may also comprise a retainer disposed between the coolant section and the non-coolant section, the retainer holding the plurality of battery cells, the retainer forming a seal around the plurality of battery cells, the seal preventing the flow of coolant from the coolant section to the non-coolant section.