Spacer Guide Member Airflow Control for Battery Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In stacked power storage devices, the end sections experience higher thermal radiation, leading to increased internal resistance and voltage fluctuations due to inefficient cooling air flow, which results in temperature variation among battery cells, affecting overall battery performance.
Innovation Solution
The use of spacers with guide members that narrow the inflow and outflow ports to prevent cooling air from escaping, creating air curtains that maintain air flow within the cooling spaces, thereby reducing thermal radiation and temperature variation in the end sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling air is introduced to cool the battery cells, then cooling performance is improved, but air flows out to the outside from inflow/outflow ports making it difficult for air to stay in the cooling space
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member acts as an intermediary element between the cooling air and the external environment. It intercepts the natural convection airflow before it can escape through the ports and redirects it back into the cooling space, effectively mediating the conflict between cooling needs and air retention requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful function of the ports (allowing cooling air to escape) is extracted and separated from the useful function (allowing cooling air to enter). The guide member selectively blocks the outflow path while preserving the inflow path, extracting the harmful air loss function while maintaining the useful cooling function
2Use of energy by moving object
If no cooling air is introduced, then energy consumption is reduced, but natural convection causes air to flow out to the outside, further cooling end section battery cells
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member enables the cooling system to serve itself by utilizing the existing natural convection airflow. Instead of requiring additional energy input to control airflow direction, the guide member passively redirects the naturally moving air back into the cooling space, making the system self-regulating without external energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful effect of natural convection (air escaping and causing uneven cooling) is converted into a beneficial effect. The guide member redirects the escaping air back into the cooling space, transforming what was previously a loss into an additional cooling mechanism that operates without energy consumption
3Strength
If end plates are provided for structural support, then mechanical strength is improved, but thermal radiation increases at end sections
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member serves as an intermediary thermal management component between the end plates and the battery cells. It intercepts the thermal radiation effect by redirecting cooling air to the end sections, mediating the thermal interaction between the structurally necessary end plates and the temperature-sensitive battery cells
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 enhances cooling performance by keeping cooling air within the spaces, reducing thermal radiation at the end sections and minimizing temperature variation among power storage devices, thus improving battery performance.
Implementation Method 1
the air moving in the cooling space because of natural convection flows out to the outside of the cooling space
Implementation Method 2
there may be formed a cooling space for cooling air to cool the battery cells
Implementation Method 3
the end plates function as radiator plates; therefore, the battery cells located in the both end sections have a higher thermal radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A power storage apparatus includes a plurality of spacers. The plurality of spacers is alternately stacked with the power storage devices. Each of the spacers defines a space through which cooling air flows. The spacers include first spacer and second spacer. The first spacer is a spacer disposed between the end plate and one of the plural power storage devices that is located adjacent to the end plate. The first spacer includes guide member. The guide member is arranged in a circumference of the opening of at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port so as to narrow the opening.