Solid Plate Holding Member for Battery Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assembled battery configurations face challenges in heat dissipation due to a heat insulating layer formed by the gas discharge path, leading to temperature variations between batteries, which shortens battery life and increases costs when additional heat conducting members are used to mitigate this.
Innovation Solution
A power source apparatus with a solid plate holding member that conducts heat between cylindrical batteries, dividing the internal space into a cooling path and a gas discharge path, where the first battery has a larger area held by the member and a smaller coolant contact area than the second battery, and the member is positioned closer to the gas discharge valve to ensure effective cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate heat conducting member is provided to suppress temperature variations between batteries, then temperature uniformity is improved, but the number of parts and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member that supports the cylindrical batteries is integrated with heat conduction functionality. The solid plate holding member not only holds the batteries from the diameter direction but also conducts heat between adjacent batteries, eliminating the need for a separate heat conducting member and reducing the total number of parts while maintaining temperature uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical support (holding batteries in position) and thermal management (conducting heat between batteries). This multi-functional design reduces component count and simplifies the overall structure while addressing both mechanical and thermal requirements.
2Reliability
If the gas discharge path is formed by the side wall portion, then gas discharge function is provided, but heat dissipation is hindered due to heat insulating layer formation
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space of the case is divided into separate cooling path and gas discharge path regions. The holding member acts as a partition that creates distinct channels: one for coolant flow (cooling path) and another for gas discharge (gas discharge path). This segmentation allows independent optimization of cooling and gas discharge functions without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the case are assigned different functions: the cooling path region is optimized for heat dissipation with direct coolant contact, while the gas discharge path region is optimized for gas flow. The holding member creates localized functional zones within the case structure.
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 configuration effectively suppresses temperature variations between batteries while reducing the number of parts and costs, ensuring efficient heat dissipation and prolonged battery life.
Implementation Method 1
the holding member is a solid plate member conducting heat of the battery
Implementation Method 2
a cooling path in which a coolant flows
Data Source
AI summary
A power source apparatus having an assembled battery including a plurality of batteries of cylindrical shape arranged in a diameter direction of the battery within a case includes a holding member which holds the plurality of batteries from the diameter direction and is in contact with the inner face of the case to divide the internal space of the case into a cooling path in which a coolant flows and a gas discharge path in which gas is discharged from the battery in a battery abnormality, wherein the holding member is a solid plate member conducting heat of the battery.