Pouch Cell Battery Module Cooling Structure With Conductive Frame Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pouch type lithium polymer battery modules face heat dissipation challenges during charging and discharging, leading to potential battery deterioration, necessitating an improved structure for enhanced cooling performance and durability.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design incorporating a heat exchange unit with a flow frame and frame cover, where the frame cover is made of a material with higher thermal conductivity than the flow frame, forming a flow space for coolant to flow through, and including extension parts for reinforcement and insulation to prevent short circuits and interference with battery cell protrusions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional pouch type cells are stacked to construct a high-power battery module, then the battery module can achieve high power output, but a lot of heat is generated by charging or discharging operation, leading to battery deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
A heat exchange unit is introduced as an intermediary component between battery cells to manage heat. The unit includes a flow frame with coolant channels and frame covers that contact the battery cells, enabling efficient heat transfer from the cells to the coolant without requiring direct modification of the battery cell structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system utilizes phase transition of coolant (liquid to vapor and back) to absorb and remove heat from battery cells. The coolant flows through channels in the flow frame, absorbing heat from battery cells through the frame covers, and the phase change process enhances the heat absorption capacity.
2Reliability
If a rigid case device is used to protect pouch type cells from bending or warping, then the cells are protected for long-term use, but the structure becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The frame covers serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical protection to prevent battery cell bending, act as heat transfer surfaces for the cooling system, and offer electrical insulation. By combining these functions into a single component, the overall structure is simplified while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame covers are made from composite materials that simultaneously provide mechanical strength for protection, thermal conductivity for heat transfer, and electrical insulation properties. This multi-functional material selection reduces the need for separate protective components.
3Temperature
If frame covers are made of material with higher thermal conductivity than the flow frame, then cooling performance is improved, but the material selection becomes more restricted and potentially more costly
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the heat exchange unit are made from materials with different thermal conductivities optimized for their specific functions. The frame covers that directly contact battery cells are made from high thermal conductivity materials for efficient heat transfer, while the flow frame is made from materials with lower thermal conductivity to maintain structural integrity and enable coolant flow channels.
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 design enhances cooling performance, reduces costs, and allows for shape or size adjustments based on battery cell arrangements, while improving durability and preventing wear on battery cells.
Implementation Method 1
the frame cover in contact with the plurality of battery cells may be made of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the flow frame
Implementation Method 2
a flow space, through which the inflowing and outflowing coolant flows, together with the flow frame
Data Source
AI summary
The battery module of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells and a heat exchange unit configured to cool the plurality of battery cells, and the heat exchange unit includes: a flow frame through which coolant inflows and outflows; and a frame cover which is in contact with the plurality of battery cells, wherein the frame cover is coupled to the flow frame to form a flow space, through which the inflowing and outflowing coolant flows, together with the flow frame.