Li-ion Pouch Cell Thermal Pathway Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Li-ion pouch cells face challenges with thermal management due to excessive or non-uniform heating, leading to degradation and safety issues, and existing cooling solutions decrease energy density and increase costs by requiring additional thermally conductive elements that complicate manufacturing and increase the risk of leaks.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating thermally conductive elements within the sealed enclosure of Li-ion pouch cells, with extensions beyond the electrode stack to create a thermally conductive pathway for external temperature control, allowing for improved thermal management without additional elements passing through the seal, thus maintaining energy density and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If additional thermally conductive elements (such as tabs or cooling plates) are used to improve thermal management, then thermal control capability is improved, but cell energy density decreases due to extra volume and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch enclosure is designed to serve dual functions: as the sealed containment structure for the electrode stack and as a thermally conductive pathway for heat transfer. By incorporating thermally conductive material into the enclosure itself, the system eliminates the need for separate cooling plates or thermal management components, thereby maintaining high energy density while achieving effective thermal control.
2Temperature
If additional thermally conductive elements are added to improve thermal management, then thermal access is improved, but device complexity increases due to manufacturing complications
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the pouch enclosure structure with the thermal management function by incorporating thermally conductive material directly into the enclosure walls. This integration eliminates the need for separate cooling plates, thermal pathways, or additional components that would complicate manufacturing. The enclosure is formed as a single integrated component that provides both containment and thermal conduction, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process.
3Temperature
If additional elements pass through the pouch cell seal to improve thermal management, then thermal control is improved, but reliability decreases due to increased risk of leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the thermal management function from the seal area by providing thermal pathways through the enclosure walls rather than requiring elements to pass through the seal. The thermally conductive material is integrated into the enclosure structure itself, allowing heat transfer without compromising the seal integrity. This eliminates the risk of leaks around tab penetration points while maintaining effective thermal control.
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 approach enables enhanced thermal control, reduced temperature differences, rapid cooling, and increased safety for Li-ion pouch cells and modules, minimizing manufacturing complexities and maintaining energy density and performance.
Implementation Method 1
the thermally conductive elements provide a thermally conductive path between the electrode stack and the sealed enclosure by way of the extension
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a Li-ion pouch cell wherein the Li-ion pouch cells comprise a sealed enclosure, electrode stack and thermally conductive elements, wherein the electrode stack and the thermally conductive elements are in the sealed enclosure, the thermally conductive elements include extensions which extend beyond the electrode stack, the sealed enclosure has thermal conductivity, the thermally conductive elements provide a thermally conductive pathway connecting the electrode stack and the sealed enclosure by way of the extension. The present invention also provides a cell module comprising the Li-ion pouch cells. The Li-ion pouch cell and the cell module according to the present application could minimize differences in cell temperature, monitor internal cell temperature, cool the cell rapidly, increase cell and module safety, allowing for minimal impact on cell energy density, performance or life and difficulty of manufacturing.