Stacked Battery Array Heat Sink Structure for Dense Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery arrays face challenges in assemblability, energy density, and cooling efficiency, particularly in energy storage systems for smart grid systems and electric vehicle charging stations, where a compact and efficient energy storage solution is needed to manage fluctuating power demands.
Innovation Solution
A battery array design featuring vertically stacked units with a plate-shaped heat sink, columns, and reinforcing members that support the heat sink and battery cell units, enhancing structural rigidity and cooling efficiency while allowing for easy assembly and increased energy density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional battery array structures are used, then manufacturing and assembly are simpler, but assemblability and structural rigidity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The battery array is divided into multiple battery cell units, each comprising a battery cell, heat sink, column, and reinforcing member. This segmentation allows independent assembly of standardized modules, improving assemblability while maintaining manageable structural complexity through repetition of identical units.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure employs nested components where the reinforcing member is positioned within the space defined by the heat sink and column, and multiple battery cell units are stacked vertically. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization and structural integrity without significantly increasing external dimensions.
2Quantity of substance
If battery array density is increased, then energy density improves, but cooling efficiency and heat dissipation may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal to vertical stacking of battery cell units, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase energy density. Each vertical unit incorporates integrated cooling components (heat sink and column) that maintain thermal management effectiveness despite the compact vertical arrangement, thereby preserving cooling efficiency while achieving higher energy density.
3Temperature
If cooling components are added to improve heat dissipation, then cooling efficiency improves, but device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink and column are integrated into a unified structural assembly that serves both thermal management and structural support functions. This merging of cooling and structural components improves cooling efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same structural elements perform dual purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The column structure serves multiple functions: providing structural support, facilitating vertical stacking of battery units, and acting as a thermal management pathway. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cooling components, thereby improving cooling efficiency while limiting increases in overall device 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 improves the assemblability, energy density, and cooling efficiency of battery arrays, enabling more efficient energy storage and power management in energy storage systems, addressing the need for compact and high-performance solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat sink having a plate shape; a battery cell unit mounted on the top surface of the first heat sink
Implementation Method 2
a second heat sink having a plate shape, located above the first column, and including a bottom surface coupled to the first column
Data Source
AI summary
A battery array includes a first heat sink having a plate shape; a battery cell unit mounted on a top surface of the first heat sink; a first column coupled to the top surface of the first heat sink and extending in the vertical direction; a second heat sink having a plate shape, located above the first column, and including a bottom surface coupled to the first column; and a reinforcing member located between the second heat sink and the battery cell unit and configured to support the bottom surface of the second heat sink. The battery array has a structure in which a plurality of battery array units is stacked in a vertical direction.