Symmetric Sub-Battery Pack Cooling With Central Heat Sink

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Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary battery performance deteriorates and there is a risk of explosion or ignition when temperature increases, necessitating an efficient cooling method for battery modules and packs.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design with a heat sink and heat conductive member between sub-battery packs, featuring independent cooling flow paths and a compression pad for efficient heat management, along with a pack frame and cover for structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heat sink is added to cool battery cells, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery cell temperatureVSAvoidcooling structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat sink is integrated between the first and second sub-battery packs, merging the cooling function into the existing battery pack structure. This eliminates the need for separate cooling components and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective heat dissipation from battery cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat sink serves multiple functions: it cools both the first and second sub-battery packs simultaneously, provides structural support between battery modules, and facilitates thermal management across the entire battery pack. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated cooling components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If battery modules are stacked in height direction to increase energy density, then productivity is improved, but temperature control becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidbattery pack temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple sub-battery packs stacked in the height direction, with heat sinks positioned between them. This segmentation allows each sub-battery pack to be cooled independently, preventing heat accumulation in densely stacked configurations and maintaining effective temperature control throughout the battery pack.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 cooling efficiency, reduces the risk of thermal runaway, and improves energy density while maintaining structural stability and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a heat sink disposed between the first sub-battery pack and the second sub-battery pack and including a cooling flow path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

including a cooling flow path, wherein the first sub-battery pack and the second sub-battery pack are disposed symmetrically with respect to the heat sink

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

a heat conductive member disposed between the plurality of battery modules and the heat sink

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4376172A1Battery pack
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 SK ON CO LTD
  • EP4376172A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4376172A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4376172A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery pack includes a first sub-battery pack and a second sub-battery pack each including a plurality of battery module including a plurality of battery cells arranged in one direction, and stacked in a height direction of the plurality of battery cells; and a heat sink disposed between the first sub-battery pack and the second sub-battery pack and including a cooling flow path, wherein the first sub-battery pack and the second sub-battery pack are disposed symmetrically with respect to the heat sink.