Prismatic Battery Case With Cooling Ribs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional prismatic sealed rechargeable batteries face challenges in space efficiency, cooling capability, and power due to their design, including a circular cross section and low thermal conductivity, which limits the number of batteries that can be arranged in a given space and hampers heat dissipation and overall capacity.
Innovation Solution
A prismatic sealed rechargeable battery with a metal case and a thin plate featuring rib-like protrusions on its side face, which increases the heat transfer surface area and reduces the heat transfer path length, allowing for improved cooling efficiency and increased power density while preventing gas leaks and expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a cylindrical battery case is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the space efficiency is low and cooling capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a cylindrical case to a prismatic case with rectangular cross-section. This geometric change improves space efficiency by allowing tighter packing of batteries in battery packs, reducing the void spaces that occur when cylindrical batteries are arranged in rectangular configurations. The prismatic shape enables more efficient utilization of available volume in the battery pack assembly.
2Temperature
If a fin is provided on the battery case to enhance heat dissipation, then the heat transfer surface area is increased, but the heat transfer path becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing cooling ribs only on specific faces of the prismatic battery case (typically the larger faces), rather than uniformly across all surfaces. This targeted approach increases heat dissipation capability at the locations where cooling is most needed, while minimizing the additional structural complexity and heat transfer path length that would result from adding fins to all surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional fin structure extending outward from the battery surface to a three-dimensional rib structure that creates internal cooling channels within the battery case wall. This dimensional change allows cooling fluid to flow through the thickness of the case wall, significantly reducing the heat transfer path length from the battery cells to the external cooling fluid while maintaining large heat transfer surface area.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a synthetic resin battery case is used, then the manufacturing flexibility is improved, but the thermal conductivity is low and cooling efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining synthetic resin with metal components. The battery case is made of synthetic resin providing manufacturing flexibility and corrosion resistance, while metal cooling ribs or metal inserts are integrated into the case structure to provide high thermal conductivity pathways for heat dissipation. This composite approach combines the advantages of both materials: the formability of plastic with the thermal performance of metal.
4Device complexity
If the battery case is made entirely of one material, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the ability to optimize both structural strength and thermal conductivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple materials and manufacturing processes into an integrated battery case structure. Synthetic resin molding is combined with metal rib attachment or metal insert integration to create a hybrid structure that simultaneously achieves structural strength, thermal conductivity, and manufacturing efficiency. The merging of these different material systems allows optimization of each function without significantly increasing overall manufacturing complexity.
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 space efficiency, cooling capability, and power output by allowing more batteries in a given space, efficient heat dissipation, and longer operating life due to improved thermal conductivity and surface strength.
Implementation Method 1
the battery case is formed of metal... improved thermal conductivity
Implementation Method 2
a thin plate having a plurality of protruding portions is provided on a side face of the battery case... increases the heat transfer surface area
Implementation Method 3
efficient heat dissipation... efficient cooling
Data Source
AI summary
A prismatic sealed rechargeable battery includes a substantially prismatic battery case that accommodates an electrode plate assembly and an electrolyte solution. The battery case is formed of metal. On a side face of the battery case, a thin plate is provided which has a plurality of protruding portions formed in parallel at appropriate intervals. The protruding portion and the side face form spaces opened at both ends therebetween. The thin plate is bonded to the side face of the battery case by making flat portions between the protruding portions into surface-contact with the side face, thereby improving cooling capability of the battery.