Traction Battery Cooling Frame for Uniform Cell Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing traction batteries face challenges in achieving effective temperature control of battery cell arrangements with high energy storage density, particularly due to limited heat dissipation and uniform temperature distribution, and expansion-related deterioration of heat transfer.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a temperature control device with a temperature control element featuring fluid channels and a holding frame, which thermally couples to the battery cell arrangement via heat conducting means, ensuring reliable temperature control and accommodating expansion through a clamping device and deformable compensation elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the battery cell arrangement is densely packed to increase energy storage density, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the heat dissipation capability deteriorates and temperature control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage densityVSAvoidtemperature control

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A heat conducting means (thermal interface material) is introduced as an intermediary between the temperature control element and the battery cell arrangement. This mediator ensures efficient thermal coupling while accommodating dimensional changes during battery operation, thereby maintaining effective heat dissipation even with high energy storage density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding frame is designed with deformable compensation elements that can dynamically adjust to dimensional changes in the battery cell arrangement during charging and discharging cycles. This dynamic adaptation maintains consistent thermal contact between the temperature control element and battery cells, ensuring continuous effective temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the battery cells are rigidly fixed to maintain structural stability, then the structural stability is improved, but the heat transfer deteriorates due to expansion-related deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidheat transfer reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holding frame incorporates flexible, deformable compensation elements that can accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of battery cells during operation. These flexible components maintain reliable thermal contact between the temperature control element and battery cells while preserving overall structural stability of the battery assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Device complexity

If a simple holding structure is used to reduce device complexity, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the temperature control uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidtemperature distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The holding frame is segmented into multiple sections with individual deformable compensation elements positioned at strategic locations. This segmentation allows each section to independently accommodate local dimensional changes in battery cells, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the entire battery arrangement while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

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

Enables efficient temperature management and uniform distribution across the battery cell arrangement, maintaining thermal connection despite expansion, thereby enhancing the performance and stability of the traction battery.

Implementation Method 1

thermally coupled to the battery cell arrangement via a heat conducting means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

temperature control element having at least one fluid channel, which is connected to the battery cell arrangement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20250364620A1Traction battery for a motor vehicle and method for producing a traction battery

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 AUDI AG

AI summary

A traction battery for a motor vehicle, including a cell module having a battery cell arrangement and a temperature control device for temperature control of the battery cell arrangement. The temperature control device has a temperature control element having at least one fluid channel, which is connected to the battery cell arrangement by a holding frame of the cell module, is inserted together with the battery cell arrangement into a battery housing of the traction battery and is thermally coupled to the battery cell arrangement via a heat conducting conductor.