Electric Energy Storage Cell With Internal Cooling Line

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical energy storage cells in motor vehicles require significant installation space for cooling/heating systems, which can lead to inefficient use of space and potential losses in operating range due to inadequate temperature management.

Innovation Solution

An electrical energy storage cell design featuring a housing with a line that conducts a cooling or heating medium through its interior, optimizing installation space by allowing the medium to directly reach the electrochemical components, and a method for operating the cell that involves measuring ambient temperature to adjust heating or cooling accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cooling/heating systems with cooling/heating elements arranged on the outer side of the energy storage cells are used, then the energy storage cells can be cooled or heated, but valuable installation space inside the motor vehicle is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature managementVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling or heating line is integrated directly into the housing interior, nesting the thermal management function within the existing housing structure rather than adding external components. This allows the cooling/heating medium to be conducted through the interior space already available, eliminating the need for separate external cooling/heating elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure is combined with the cooling/heating function by integrating the line that conducts the cooling or heating medium directly into the housing. This merging of structural and functional elements eliminates the need for separate external thermal management components, optimizing installation space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If cooling/heating elements are arranged on the outer side of the energy storage cells, then temperature management is achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature managementVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves multiple functions: it contains the electrochemical components and simultaneously acts as an integrated thermal management system by incorporating the cooling or heating line within its interior. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated thermal management components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If the line runs through the interior of the housing, then installation space is optimized, but the line must be made of electrically non-conductive material to prevent short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidmaterial selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

An electrically non-conductive material is introduced as an intermediary for the cooling or heating line, allowing it to pass through the electrochemical components without causing short circuits. This intermediary material enables the integration of thermal management while maintaining electrical isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling or heating line is made from a material with poor electrical conductivity (such as plastics or titanium), replacing traditional metal conduits that would conduct electricity. This substitution eliminates electrical short circuit risks while maintaining the thermal management function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 design optimizes installation space and enhances the lifespan of the energy storage cell by ensuring effective temperature management, preventing losses from cold conditions and allowing for efficient use of space within the vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

a line that runs through the interior and via which a cooling or heating medium can be conducted through the interior

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11652247B2Electric stored energy source

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

AI summary

An electric stored energy source for a motor vehicle has a housing that defines an inner chamber in which electrochemical components of an energy storage cell are accommodated, and a line extending through the inner chamber and via which a coolant or a heating medium can be guided through the inner chamber.